When Woolwich Community Services takes part in the region’s DIG IN Food Drive today (Saturday), director of community supports Kelly Christie says it will be for a very simple reason: “You need to know that there are people in your community that are working very, very hard at minimum wage… and they’re hungry.”
![Kelly Christie says WCS needs to stock its larder.[Will Sloan / The Observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/post_news_fooddrive.jpg)
In 2013, Woolwich Community Services gave emergency food assistance to 456 people in the township. Today’s region-wide drive is intended to give a shot-in-the-arm to it and other food hamper programs outside of the traditional holiday boom times.
“It’s coordinated by the Waterloo Region in an effort to get all the food banks in the region to do a major, one-day food drive, in hopes that the accumulation will be greater than if we were to do individual drives,” said Christie.
“Some of the items that we’re really in need of are canned food, canned juice, canned meats like turkey and chicken, pasta sauce, also salmon and tuna. At this time of year, it’s always nice to have condiments, like mayo and ketchup.” Other items listed in the Woolwich Food Bank’s Top Ten include sugar, instant coffee, cookies, flour, shampoo, and toothpaste.
In addition, WCS is seeking cash donations for the ongoing maintenance of its food hamper program. “Our shelves are very light,” Christie said.
“We purchase on a weekly basis milk, eggs, margarine, apples, carrots, and bread to put in that hamper so they have something fresh. With the increase in the use of the food hamper program, and the cost of groceries going up, the cash is always in need as well.”
Christie added that all of the items and money donated will go to help people within the Woolwich community.
“There’s a bus at No Frills, and we’ll be filling up grocery carts and my vehicle, and we’ll bring the food right here to the basement. We’ll have a crew to sort it all in categories, check the expiry dates, and fill our shelves.”
Donations will be accepted at Foodland Elmira, Foodland St. Clements, and Elmira No Frills, May 24 (today) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact Woolwich community Services at 519-669-5139.
