Demand for the 100 Mile House Foodbank’s services is higher than ever this holiday season.
Danny Williams, the 100 Mile House Foodbank Society’s president, said that the number of people using the food bank this year is up 20 per cent from last year, with 160 food hampers being given out once a month. Williams expects to be giving out 200 Christmas hampers to families and individuals in need on Dec. 19. Despite this high demand, he said the foodbank will be able to meet this order thanks to generous donations from the community.
“We’re busy. I think it’s down to costs. Between food, gas and the carbon tax people just don’t have the money to go around but we’re here to help them,” Williams said. “Thank God we got (the donations). They’ve been a big help to the foodbank. Without them, we might be struggling right now.”
Williams said local businesses like Save-On-Foods, CIBC, West Fraser - 100 Mile Lumber, Red Apple Store, eXp Realty and RE/MAX 100 Mile House have all run food drives or donated money to them this holiday season. This is on top of contributions from community groups like the 100 Mile House Wranglers and South Cariboo Rec Centre.
On Friday, Dec. 8 the foodbank received a fresh wave of food and cash donations from 100 Mile House FreshCo and the 100 Mile House RCMP’s Cram the Cruiser fundraiser. Daniel Broddy, store manager of FreshCo, said they had a good turnout this year with members of 100 Mile Fire Rescue, the CVSE and the Stemete7uw’i Friendship Centre joining the RCMP and FreshCo for the drive.
“The customers bought out all 100 of our foodbank hampers that we made up. We also donated $800 worth of cash as well, it was fantastic,” Brody said. “The customers really came through and made a difference this year.”
Broddy said this is the fourth year his store has done Cram the Cruiser and at this point, he doesn’t need to do much advertising for it. His customers look forward to it and are excited to do their part to help feed those in need.
“It doesn’t look like a ton of food when we drop it off, but it’s still the joy of giving and that’s what Christmas is all about,” Broddy said, adding that this year their food hampers were Christmas-themed with cranberry sauce, vegetables and turkey stuffing.
Until Dec. 28 Broddy said FreshCo cashiers will be accepting donations to the foodbank with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to them.
Williams said anyone looking to help out the foodbank directly can donate to a local food drive or bring in cash donations to the food bank, located at 199 7th Street. Thanks to deals with FreshCo and Save-On-Foods, Williams can triple the buying power of cash donations and ensure his clients get the food they need.
“We’ve got to stock our shelves and get ready,” Williams said. “I’d just like to thank everybody for all the help we’re getting, it makes me feel good how the community is treating us.”
