Niverville food bank shelves need restocking and residents of the town are being asked to help.
Board Chair Larissa Sandulak said all the food collected during the fall food drive is gone. “It's amazing how quickly our shelves fill up and then empty again. So part of the reason we do food drives is to help us stay at the forefront of people's minds. , to remind us that we are here, not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but at other times of the year, and that our needs are never ending.”
Sandulak notes that the need for food baskets has steadily increased in Niverville. “We have a lot of families in need. As you know, the cost of living and other expenses are all going up. Yes, we need steady donations, and we're sure we'll get them this spring. Is required.”
As for what kind of food items are most needed, Sandulak said: “Basically what we eat at home. We eat a lot of school snacks, cereals, soups, rice and pasta, pasta sauce, canned meat. Just normal things. Canned vegetables and canned fruit.” ”
Sandulak added, “This is our first food drive for 2024. We do this every spring and fall. Youth groups from churches around town are divided into neighborhoods around town and everyone We collect donations and take them back to the food bank office.
Niverville residents are asked to drop off food donations at their front door by 6 p.m.
“Young people leave around 6:30 or 7 o'clock. If you don't see anything, you might get a knock on your door as a reminder. Some people forget there's an event going on. , the kids will ask if they have anything to donate.”
Sandulak says you are under no obligation to give anything. So even if it's just one can of the product, it will go a long way. ”
“If you are not home on Friday, you can always visit the donation box at Your Grocery People on Main Street in Niverville and drop off your donation at your convenience.”
Niverville Helping Hands Food Bank is moving to a new location on Main Street starting in August 2023, and Sandulak said it's “going amazingly well.”
“We didn't really know what we were going to do, but we've been pleasantly surprised at how well it's working. Our customers seem to be very satisfied, too.”
She said they are working to expand services this year to include a computer station and possibly social services like programming and counseling for patrons.
“We're all volunteers. We don't have any paid staff here. So everything is moving a little bit slowly, but we'll get to work on these things eventually, so we'll get to work on these things as we head into the summer. It’s great to be able to cross some things off the list.”
The next Niverville Helping Hands Food Bank Day is Thursday, May 23rd.