INNISFAIL – Donnie Hill is issuing a challenge to the community.
The local businessman is challenging the community at large and local businesses to step up to the plate to ensure the Innisfail and District Food Bank is always stocked up to ensure no one is left out, especially now and in the coming months because of the COVID-19 crisis.
“I would like to see a challenge put out to the public at large and local businesses to come together and really work to keep our food bank stocked up, as well as finding all the shortfalls of our community because we all know there are some,” said Hill.
“And if we can try to fill the gaps,” he added. “I feel as a community that is our job to help everyone because it goes full circle and we need everybody to get through good times and bad times.”
And all of that is just not talk. Hill, who is also a town councillor, recently purchased $1,000 worth of toilet/tissue packets for the food bank because he was seeing a need in the community during a time the agency is encountering many “strains” due to demands for service.
“A lot of people are relying on (the food bank) now and we are not sure who is going to be needing it in the future so I wanted to do what I could and I found some resources and networked to find a small factory out of Delburne that produces toilet paper on site and I was able to buy a bulk package and order from them,” said Hill, who delivered the toilet paper and tissue packets to the food bank on March 24. “I am hoping this is one of many things I can do for the community.”
The food bank warmly appreciated the gesture, said the agency’s co-coordinator Brenda Hand.
“It was a very generous donation from Donnie Hill. That was very kind. He has a very big heart,” said Hand. “It will be appreciated by many in our community.”
She said the food bank did have a small supply of toilet paper but emphasized its not known how many new clients would be accessing the service with the deepening crisis and increased unemployment. Hand said new clients have already shown up for the service.
“I am anticipating we will have more new clients because people are unemployed. They are going to need food stock and we have that available,” said Hand.
She said before the COVID-19 crisis the typical number of weekly hampers that needed to be prepared was between 15 to 20. In the first week of the crisis the food bank prepared more than 30. However, that number dropped the following week.
“We are expecting more because of our demographics. We have needy people who are living on the edge of managing. I am expecting more due to job losses and hours being cut,” she said.
She said at this time the food bank will “graciously” except any food items or cash citizens are willing and able to donate. She said the food bank is always accepting non-perishable food items and noted there is a current shortage of breakfast cereal.
“We have a good COVID-19 protocol set up and it has worked well,” said Hand. “People have to be patient and wait their turn but getting in and out of the food bank is faster than it used to be because our hampers are pre-packed so they are there for less time.
“With the protocols we have put in place we have talked about how we are going to manage that,” she added. “I feel we are as prepared as much as we can be for something that is unknown.”
For more information on the local food bank call Carole Sim, co-coordinator, at 403-227-3960.
