The shelves are yet again full at the Jasper Food Bank, after a successful door-to-door food drive, Oct. 25.
The annual event is coordinated by the food bank and the Rotary Club of Jasper, and sees members of both organizations knocking on doors, asking for non-perishable food items to later distribute to struggling community members and families.
Over the course of a year, the food bank gives out upwards of 300 food hampers and provides food to both the daycare and elementary school, to ensure the community's children are well nourished.
Those numbers, although still high, are down from previous years, said Patrick Mooney of the food bank.
“It has sort of levelled and dropped a bit in the last three years,” he said, speculating that the drop is a result of increased wages and better employee care.
“I think businesses are being a little more responsible in taking care of their staff, which has gratefully reduced the need for the food bank—that's my guess,” he said.
Although the need seems to be decreasing, Mooney said he doesn't hold out hope that one day there will no longer be a need for the food bank.
“The first food bank in Canada opened its doors in 1980 and we've never even come close to closing doors. We'll always need food banks—until the government gives its citizens enough money to live on through benefits and pensions.”
In the meantime, the Jasper Food Bank will remain open every Thursday evening, opening its doors at 6 p.m., and when people arrive, asking for help, they'll walk away with a week's worth of food.
“Unfortunately food bank fare isn't the most nutritious stuff,” said Mooney, referring to things like Kraft Dinner and Mr. Noodles, which have become the standard go-to donations. “You can eat, it keeps you alive and it keeps you from getting hungry, but I think it's time for food banks and people like myself to start suggesting to the community to give nutritious quality goods, or not to be afraid to give nutritious goods.”
Mooney suggested quinoa and beans that are high in protein as possible options, as well as speciality items, like gluten free goods.
“We feel comfortable enough here to say, could you please up the ante?”
Now, that's not to say the food bank is unhappy with the goods it received during last month's food drive. In fact, Mooney said he was really pleased with the results.
“When I look at the shelves now, I'm kind of surprised that the goods we needed were the goods that came.
“I want to thank the community for donating in such a big way.”
Mooney also thanked all of the volunteers who helped out during the drive—everyone from the Rotary Club, the community and the Peer Support Team—and he reminded that throughout the year food bank donations can be dropped of at Community Outreach Services, 627 Patricia St., the Jasper Activity Centre and Super A Foods.
Nicole Veerman
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