INNISFAIL – The community’s disadvantaged received a welcome boost last week from a unique annual partnership between the business community, the Rotary Club of Innisfail and the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
Since 2014 the service club has rolled out its Rotary Food Bank Program during the holiday season that provides toiletries to the community’s less fortunate.
The program to support the distribution efforts by the food bank is made possible through rotating annual partnerships with Co-op, NoFrills and Jackson’s Pharmasave.
This year Rotary teamed up with Jackson's Pharmasave to provide $500 worth of toiletries, which included shampoos, conditioners, deodorant and soap, to the local food bank to pass on to those in need.
This year’s program, which was unveiled on Dec. 8 at Jackson’s Pharmasave, received an additional $250 contribution from an anonymous donor.
Andrew Ritson-Bennett, president of the local Rotary club, said he hopes with the boost from the anonymous donor there will be enough support to supply the community’s vulnerable with these essential items for a significant period of time.
“I would hope so. There is a lot of space between Christmas seasons and I am sure there are times when they are going without but at this time of the year it’s nice to be able to provide those in need with what we can to help out the food bank, and do something for the community,” said Ritson-Bennett, adding his service club is appreciative of the local business partnerships.
“They are right behind us all the way. It is nice to partner with them on projects like this.”
Brent Jackson, owner of Jackson’s Pharmasave, said he was honoured to be of service this year for the Rotary program as he and his staff are always pleased to help others in the community.
“It’s a good cause and if they (food bank) are lacking that with the way things are this year it’s nice to be able to help out any way we can,” said Jackson. “It gives all the staff a boost. It puts everyone in a positive mood.”
Judy Cooper, co-coordinator of the local food bank, said the program provides a valuable service to her agency as essential toiletry items are rarely donated.
“This morning I was filling a hamper looking for shampoo and we didn’t have any,” she said. “We are very grateful for all these supplies. Not many people donate toilet items. This comes at a very good time.”
Cooper said despite the hardships to everyone caused by the COVID-19 pandemic donations this time of year have been steady, which is especially welcoming due to the loss of big annual donations from the CP Holiday Train event and the RCMP Charity Check Stop. Both pre-Christmas events were cancelled due to the pandemic.
“Despite COVID we are doing OK,” she said.
