An annual Thanksgiving food drive has exceeded expectations amid the COVID-19 pandemic as more London families seek help from the London Food Bank.
The London Food Bank's 32nd annual Thanksgiving drive ran from October 2 to 12 and raised the equivalent of 70,757 pounds of food, which is over 4,000 pounds more than what was raised during the food drive in 2019.
"We're always pleased, obviously, when the public gives at whatever level they can give, and so this year, they were able to give more than they did last year, which consistently makes a difference for us," said Jane Roy, the food bank's co-executive director. "We're not surprised by London's generosity by we're always inspired by it."
Due to the pandemic, the food drive had to be held virtually with food bank officials encouraging residents to make monetary donations. However, food donations were still accepted at local grocery stores and the food bank warehouse on Leathorne Street.
Londoners donated a total of 17,725 pounds of food and made $137,900 in monetary donations, which is the equivalent of 53,000 pounds of food. According to Food Banks Canada, $2.60 equates into one pound of food.
"What we do with the monetary donations is continue to purchase food that will help fill out the package, so we buy milk, we buy eggs, we buy produce... some of it will also go to help out the homeless lunch programs that we assist with as well," said Roy.
Roy added that the London Food Bank has begun to see a monthly 10 per cent increase in families utilizing the food bank's services. She said the food bank is currently seeing over 2,600 families per month, which is around 6,000 Londoners.
"It's definitely a fair increase over the last couple of months and we're not sure what will happen over the fall and over the winter, but we do expect those numbers to continue to increase," Roy said.