Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
The need for Jasper Food Bank has tripled since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
But the increase in demand has allowed the team behind the scenes to shake up their system and feed families with fresh foods as well as non-perishables.
Jean-Marie Hannaford and her team of volunteers are now ordering food directly from GFS with meat from TGP to pack into food parcels and deliver to people鈥檚 homes on Thursday evenings.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going well, steady,鈥� said Hannaford. 鈥淲e revamped this week and are cutting back on the non-perishables.鈥�
Before the pandemic, Jasper Food Bank was strictly non-perishables with about ten people a week picking up food from the Anglican Church basement.
鈥淚t was like paycheck to paycheck, people who had nothing or had just got into town and had to get through that week or two,鈥� said Hannaford.
鈥淭his has changed our need. We are going to be needed by families on a regular, weekly basis - long term.鈥�
Hannaford said it鈥檚 an even mix of families, individuals and adults living together who use the food bank.
And for the past three weeks, volunteers have dropped more than 30 food hampers a week to people in need.
Food hampers contain pasta, cereal, tinned vegetables, potatoes, lunch meat, fresh fruits and vegetables and more.
But it鈥檚 not just the demand that has been growing for Jasper Food Bank. Donations have also multiplied over the past few weeks.
Hannaford said: 鈥淭he outpouring has been phenomenal - but that鈥檚 our Jasper. I love this community so much.鈥�
At this time money contributions are preferred so the food bank can order in supplies. Send e-transfers to [email protected] or call 780-931-7081 to arrange a cheque.
The Food Bank is closed to the public but if you would like to set up a delivery on a Thursday evening contact Jean-Marie by Wednesday at 5 p.m. on 780-931-7081 or [email protected]. Text or call once and include your name and the number of people in your household. You will be contacted as soon as possible to make arrangements for drop-off.
