Stockpile adding up? Can’t open your closet for fear of all your shampoos falling out? Now is the time to donate! Fallen Pixels posted an email earlier this week that stated that a lot of our local Food Banks are running low due to demand. A lot of us donate for Thanksgiving and Christmas but sometimes overlook that food is needed all year around.
I already brought my donation in and it was happily accepted.
🙂 Thanks for helping out Smart Canuckers.
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If you don’t have extra nonperishable, you can still donate money. They actually prefer money because they get a lot of same food items. With cash, they can go buy something different, allow them to have balance diet. The suppliers often give them massive discounts too.
My son needed the food bank here in Vancouver at one time in his life. He thought he went early enough. Not so. Certain nationalities drop family members off at 6 AM, and head off to work. Grandma brings home the free food from the food bank. If you’re not in line by 5:30/6 AM, you don’t get anything. I stopped giving to the food bank. As a hard working woman, I don’t need to support people that take advantage of it. I give to people that I know deserve a break, and I am looking into giving to Salvation Army. My son did get some help from them.They are a decent organization.
They are always looking for proteins such as beans, and peanut butter. I wouldn’t go as far as saying “they prefer” money. I think they graciously accept donations.of all sorts. I consider the “food bank” any of the places that supply food for those less fortunate. Here the St Vincent Du Paul and Salvation Army provide those services. You get a food box and a gift certificate to Food Basics depending on how many people are in your family, this way they have the chance to choose healthier options.
I would like to think that even though there are some that take advantage of the food bank there are lots that don’t. Here I do believe they record everything and you have to go through an intake meeting and are only allowed help so much.
Leslie – I am a bit disappointed in your comment about “certain nationalities”. What makes you think they don’t need the food and are taking advantage of it? Rather than make racist comments that have no basis perhaps you should recognize that unfortunately the need from a variety of people is so great that one must go to the food bank or sadly be left out. Comments such as yours are unwelcome in modern Canada.
Moonieya, I invite you to attend a Vancouver Food Bank before you jump to conclusions. Good luck with that. You will see what I mean.
With food prices going through the roof, and salary freeze, I had to give up making monetary donations to Food Banks and other charities a few years ago. That is, until recently, when one of my coworkers told me that I can make coupon donations to the Food Bank and the local abused women shelter. Some stores will double up the value of the coupons for the Food Bank, and the women at the shelter learn couponing as one of the ways to make ends meet. We now have a “secret society” of coupon donors at work, and one of the ladies take it to one of the charities regularly on behalf of the group.
@ Moonieya, please try to ignore the comments that are not pleasant/”Canadian”
@ Leslie, have you discussed your problem with the Food Bank in question? Have you made some suggestions to improve the situation? Have you been able to donate to other food banks where you are more comfortable.
In some parts of the Greater Toronto Area, food banks ask (nicely) for each person to register and show proof of family income or support payments. These food banks do not turn anyone away, but ask (nicely) that those with higher income, visit less often in the month. I donate to GTA food banks. In my experience, many treat their clients with dignity and respect, and gently persuade those who are able to afford food, to allow those in need to go first.
I think it’s good Karma to give when you can – food, clothing, time, compassion. It’s what makes us “Canadian”.
I give with the intention that those in need will use it. If, for whatever reason, people are abusing the system, it is on their conscience.
I use $5 from my weekly money to buy food for donation, trying to buy baby food because I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to not be able to feed your babies. I also, use my coupons and bonus points to try to maximize the amount I have to spend.
You can always find reasons not to donate but I prefer to find reasons to donate.
baggypants
p.s. and if you take it to your local firestation…you have an added eyecandy bonus!!
Well, I see some great ideas here, ladies. As a woman who has worked since she was 12 years old., and now is 53, I abhor abuse of the “system”. I know there is need, but getting past the abuse to the needy is the difficult part. I apologize to anyone that took my angry comments as “non-Canadian”, but as much as there is racism in Canada, there is equally enough “reverse-racism”.
@ Leslie
Apology accepted.
Nice to know you are a hard worker.
Hope the rest of your weekend goes well — if you’re not working : )
I think there would be less need for the food banks if people tried a little harder with their budgets, quit smoking, drinking, gambling etc. I would love to see stricter guidelines for the folks in the food bank line. I agree there is a need and that it is our duty as a society to help.. however i think we could give a little tougher love with the food as well.
As someone who works with the homeless and has worked in drop in centres w food banks for marginalized/struggling individuals in ottawa, the numbers that may “abuse” the system in a minority of those who use the system. We have enough food banks that they are divided by catchments areas. You show proof you live in the area of your local food bank. Shelters can also assist individuals from any area. Amounts from food banks varies from food bank to food bank. Some give 3 days supply while others give monthly supplies. Working people can attend, there are many “working poor” individuals out there that struggle-with costs of hydro and bills going up, some can afford to keep a roof over their head but not much beyond that. Times are hard for a lot of people. Money is often wonderful for food banks. They rely on donations but also make purchases for items they dont have or dont have enough of. The main food bank supplied much of the food for our drop in but we still spend on average $600/week to provide needed items to run the kitchen in the drop in.
Deb,
thanks for the insight and info 🙂
Food banks also accept COUPON DONATIONS. I have a coupon donation box set up at my local grocery store. I take the donated coupons once a week and put them in an envelope in the food donation bin. Sometimes people put change in the bin. I know that the food banks need money to put gas in the trucks they use to pick up donations around the city.
Just remember that you can give without spending money. Coupons are a great way if you don’t have the cash to spare. Just try to make sure your coupons have at least 30 days before expirey, as it takes a bit of time before it gets in the hands of those who need it. ANY and ALL coupons are accepted.