It’s approaching Thanksgiving, and while most of us are anticipating the turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, there are many in our community who won’t be able to celebrate the holiday with a feast. Although we tend to associate hunger with distant third-world countries, the reality is that many are struggling to make ends meet and these people are in our own community, not far from our reach. If you haven’t had the misfortune of having to use the local Food Bank, you may be surprised to learn about some of the statistics that were revealed by Jeff Rollings’ recent article in the autumn edition of In the Hills magazine. Clients of the Orangeville Food Bank wishing to use its services are put through a fairly thorough interview process to assess their need, and are allowed to return once a month if their need continues. The reality is that only about 5% of people actually use the service more than 3 times. It may come as a surprise to people to learn that the majority of clients are those who have recently hit upon a rough patch in their lives: lost a job or met with some unfortunate circumstances that led them to the Food Bank’s doors. Food is dispatched by weight: an average person will get a 50 lb. bag of goods that is supposed to last them the week. Volunteers fill an average of 132 orders a month.
So, it is with these facts in mind that CDDHS goes into its Food Drive this week with the hope that the Food Bank's shelves may be stocked before Thanksgiving. May no person in Shelburne go without this holiday Monday. May every child, adult and senior citizen have the satisfying feeling of a full belly.