DRIVE THRU FOOD DRIVE
While many people filled their cupboards over the last two weeks, those at food banks have been quickly emptying.
Prior to the swift advancement of the COVID-19 pandemic, food banks in the City of Kawartha Lakes had already been struggling to meet the need for food and other essentials within the community. The number of client visits had been higher in the early months of 2020 than the previous year, and over the last two weeks, food banks began to receive an influx of calls from community members struggling to make ends meet due to lost wages from layoffs or decreased hours. To make matters worse, the Kawartha Lakes Food Source has had to postpone its annual spring food drive.
“We are having to feed more people with less food” says Heather Kirby, Executive Director of the Kawartha Lakes Food Source. “We rely heavily on our big food drives to help refill our shelves, and with the uncertainty about when things will return to normal, we are unsure of when we will be able to reschedule for.”
“We need the donations, but the safety of our staff, volunteers, clients, and general community are our priority” says Heather. “So, we have had to be creative. We have organized a one-day Drive Thru Food Drive across the town of Lindsay.”
The Drive Thru Food Drive will take place on Wednesday, April 1st, between 10 AM and 2 PM at 4 different locations in Lindsay:
The Kawartha Lakes Food Source Distribution Centre at 41 George St W, Lindsay ON
The Lindsay Community Food Market at 125 Victoria Avenue N, Lindsay ON
Kawartha Lakes Centre of Hope at 104 Lindsay St S, Lindsay ON
The Salvation Army Lindsay at 30 Peel St, Lindsay ON
Each location will have volunteers and/or signage to guide individuals through the drop off. If you visit to donate food, please be sure to respect social distancing, leaving 2 metres between yourself and anyone else. Cover your face adequately if you sneeze or cough and be sure to touch or handle as little as possible. Additionally, if you are feeling unwell at all, or are considered a vulnerable person, please stay home. We appreciate every community member who shows us support, but the health and safety of the community is paramount. Food banks will still be here when COVID-19 is no longer such a significant threat, and they will still need your help then to get back on their feet.
Items in greatest need now include canned soups and stews, canned vegetables, canned meats, pasta sauce, paste, canned fruits, cereal and personal hygiene and household items. Perishable and financial donations will also be accepted during this Drive Thru Food Drive.
“Those living in poverty are not able to store up three days worth of food never mind two weeks,” says Heather Kirby. “If you’ve over-purchased, we’re more than happy to receive your extras.”
For more information about the Kawartha Lakes Food Source - including updates on local food banks – visit www.kawarthalakesfoodsource.com or like @KawarthaLakesFoodSource on Facebook.
If you have questions about this food drive, or donations in general, email info@kawarthalakesfoodsource.com or call 705-324-0707.