The Goldstream Food Bank was buzzing with the sound of eager volunteers Wednesday morning as they stocked shelves and organized thousands of donations from the community.
The food bank served around 1,100 people last year and is making about 600 Christmas hampers this holiday season.
“From infant to age 11 there were 258 children, and for teens aged 12 to 17 there were 145 that we served,” said Sandy Prette, secretary on the board at the Goldstream Food Bank and the Christmas Hamper program. “There were 118 families that used our toy room for their children last year.”
With non-perishable food donations coming in from events such as 10,000 Tonight and Stuff the Bus, volunteers are at their busiest as they check dates and sort through food products.
However, the Food Bank is still in need of items such as toys — especially for children aged 10 and 11 — and personal hygiene products like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, etc.
Prette pointed out there are many families that come to the Goldstream Food Bank and said they come from all walks of life.
“We have a lot of working poor, a lot of seniors,” Prette said. “And we have a lot of people coming from other provinces that are unable to make ends meet.”
The Food Bank has also seen a lot of new families come in this year, according to Prette.
When it comes to items like toys, families are able to pick out two for each child — one from Santa and one from the parents.
There are also items available for adults like bags filled with hygiene products that they can take if they need them.
Prette said families that would like to register for a Christmas hamper can fill out a form at the Goldstream Food Bank as well as at the Salvation Army on Goldstream Avenue, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the family service outlet in Belmont Park.
Those that are interested in volunteering can give the food bank a call to set up a time.
While the volunteers seem to have their hands full with many different items to sort through, Prette said it’s a good problem to have and that they will be accepting donations every day until Christmas.
“There will be somebody here every day now from 8:30 in the morning to two or three in the afternoon,” Prette said.
The Goldstream Food Bank is located at 761 Station Ave. in the basement of the Langford Legion.
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
