To the Editor,
The Christmas season is fast approaching, which means preparations have already begun at our local food bank. Food bank volunteers are presently busy behind the scenes making preparations with our extended partners for the collection, sorting, packing and distribution of Christmas hampers.
Registration for Christmas Baskets has already started and will continue until the end of November. If anyone is in need and wishes to receive a Christmas Basket, please call the Vankleek Hill Food Bank, Monday to Friday at 613-678-8119 and leave a message with your name and phone number. A member of the Food Bank will call you back and collect all the details they require.
The Vankleek Hill Food Bank will be hosting its annual Food Collection on Saturday November 26, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., in front of Foodland on Highway 34. We are asking residents of Vankleek Hill, Hawkesbury-East, Chute a Blondeau, St-Eugene, St. Anne de Prescott, and St. Bernardin to look for us. You can either drop off items from your own pantry or purchase a pre-filled bag from Foodland to donate.
The Food Bank accepts all non-perishable food items. There is always a need for personal care products like shampoo, conditioner, soap and deodorant among others. In the way of staple foods, products like peanut butter, Cheez Whiz, Kraft Dinner, instant coffee, tea, canned meats, canned fruit and vegetables, pasta sauce and pasta, diced tomatoes, crackers, cookies, cereal, legumes (Chickpeas, Kidney Beans, Black Beans etc.) and canned or boxed soup. Also, such items as granola bars, pudding cups, apple sauce cups and fruit cups are always welcome so the children will have healthy snacks.
As always, cash donations are most welcome – volunteers will take down your name and mailing address for anyone who would like a tax receipt sent to them. Our need is great and has become greater as food prices continue to soar, making our vulnerable citizens even more so.
The Vankleek Hill Food Bank wishes to thank our community for your continuous generosity throughout the year and especially during this holiday season.
Mike McGurk
Vankleek Hill Food Bank
