Lamont County Food Bank offers families a helping hand
“A lot of the time local fundraisers really sustain us,” commented Lori Stahl, service co-ordinator with the Lamont County Food Bank, while waiting for Janine Whiting to arrive at the local storage and distribution centre for a cheque presentation recently.
Whiting, who helped co-ordinate the ladies bonspiel for the Lamont Curling Club, was smiling and more than happy to present Stahl with a cheque for $407 on behalf of participants who donated 1,200 pounds of food as well as the generous cash donation.
Stahl says without the support of local residents, organizations and businesses, the food bank would not be able to operate successfully.
She doesn’t want to discount the volunteers, a core group of about 10 local residents, who donate their time to help people in need. “I have an amazing group of volunteers
“I’d love to say thank you to everyone. Every can of food or dollar that is donated makes a difference.”
With challenging economic times over the past year, the food bank has been a great support for local residents. Asking for help is one of the biggest hurdles for recipients, who never expect to find themselves in the position they find themselves in.
Demand for food hampers is also in high demand, and Stahl says there has been a substantial rise in the number of hampers that were distributed in 2015 compared to 2016.
For example:
2015
January – 16 hampers (31 adults, 17 children).
February – 25 hampers (44 adults, 32 children)
March – 24 hampers (39 adults, 29 children).
April – 30 hampers (51 adults, 37 children).
Totals: 95 hampers (165 adults, 115 children).
2016
January – 31 hampers (63 adults, 30 children).
February – 31 hampers (55 adults, 37 children).
March – 36 hampers (62 adults, 40 children).
April – 47 hampers (87 adults, 55 children).
“You pray it helps a bit, and a parents will be able to eat and feed their kids.” Stahl says there’s probably a lot more people out there who are on their last can of soup, and really need a helping hand. She says it is a very complex and challenging problem to solve, but that: “Our goal is to provide nourishment in a non-judgemental way, and try to make it a positive experience for them.”
No one ever expects to use the food bank, but Stahl says many people don’t have a longterm plan in place, and maybe facing health issues, unexpected life event, lay offs, etc. Residents are allowed to access the food bank once a month, and she encourages anyone who needs help to call the food bank at 780-619-6955.
Michelle Pinon
Editor
