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Port Cares Foodbank

The Port Colborne and Wainfleet Lions Clubs are once again going door-to-door on Saturday, October 23, to collect non-perishable food items for Port Cares’ Reach Out Centre food bank, which needs the help now more than ever.

 

The Lions Clubs have led this food drive for more than 40 consecutive years. It has historically been the food drive that has supplied the food bank through the harsh winter months. With Covid-19 much has changed – this year like last year, organizers are not able to have community members sort food donations at a local church.

 

The number of people coming to Port Cares to register for assistance through their Reach Out Centre Food Bank is continuing to grow. There has been a 35 percent increase in people accessing Port Cares’ services, since the onset of the pandemic.


“Last week the food bank served a record 103 families and individuals on one day – in our history this has never happened before.” says Christine Clark Lafleur, Executive Director of Port Cares. “Since the Labour Day Weekend, we have served significantly more families and individuals than we usually see this time of year. Right now, we have more than 1,700 people actively accessing the food bank with 740 people registered to receive hot, nutritious meals through the meal program,” Clark Lafleur says.


Residents who live in Port Colborne or Wainfleet can simply put out a box or bag of non-perishable items on their doorsteps by 9am on Saturday, October 23, which will be collected by Lions and volunteers.


Alternatively, those who are able to can donate in-person at the following collection hubs:

 

  • Christian Life Assembly at 484 Barrick Road (8am-12pm only)
  • Wainfleet Meridian Credit Union on Hwy #3 on Sat. Oct 23 9am-12pm OR Mon-Fri, Oct 18-22 during business hours

 

Monetary donations by cash or cheque are also accepted, which will go directly towards Port Cares’ Reach Out Centre and Food Bank, which does not receive any government funding.

 

Some of the most-needed items at the food bank are:

  • Canned fruits & vegetables
  • Pull-tab canned proteins (ham, fish, corned beef etc.)
  • Canned pasta
  • Pasta sauce
  • Dry soups and side dishes
  • Rice
  • Peanut-free granola bars
  • Juice boxes
  • Hygiene products (toilet paper, body wash, shampoo, deodorant)

 

 

“We are forecasting that we will continue to experience increased registration at the food bank as the CERB program runs out – whether that happens this month or next remains to be known,” Clark Lafleur admits.  “But it’s not just CERB that will drive future need – the escalating cost of rent and utilities is a huge factor for people who have no other option but to turn to Port Cares and the Reach Out Centre to get through.”

 

WANT TO HELP?

Interested volunteers contact Lion Laura Slat 289-407-0106 or Jan Fuaco 905-835-8157 to be a driver with a route.

 

 

QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORT CARES REACH OUT CENTRE:

  • Port Cares Reach Out Centre (ROC) assists more than 1,700 individuals. A third of the people reliant on the ROC Food Bank are children.
  • On average 25,000 pounds of food is distributed through the Port Cares Food Bank each month.
  • Most needed food item donations for the food bank include ready-to-eat foods, pull-tab canned goods, canned meat, fruit, vegetables, pasta & sauce, peanut butter, cereal, jam, baby food, formula and diapers, personal hygiene products. 
  • Last school year the Port Cares Reach Out Food Centre located at 61 Nickel Street, Port Colborne provided approximately more than 12,000 lunches to local school age elementary and secondary school children who live in low-income households.
  • Hot, nutritious community meals are served three times a week to families and individuals in-need with more than 75 adults and children typically attend each meal. Attendance for special meals like Thanksgiving and Christmas is double at 140 to 150 guests.