Sarnia's Inn of the Good Shepherd plans to feed about 1,200 mouths this Thanksgiving in an effort to meet the food bank's heightened demand.
Inn Executive Director Myles Vanni said they've seen an increase of about 400 monthly users, coupled with a decrease in donations, since the pandemic started.
"Of course the COVID pandemic has provided a lot of challenges in terms of food donations dropping off a lot from normal, so this is a chance for us to refill those cupboards," said Vanni. "Particularly things like cereal, school snacks, Kraft Dinner, canned fruit, large soups and stews -- those are some of the things that we need most, along with some side dishes."
Vanni said there are plenty of ways to donate.
"You can do your shopping at the grocery store -- we have barrels at all of the grocery stores, and the fire halls, that you can leave donations at or, of course, at the Inn as well," said Vanni. "We also have Exit Realty, they did a drop-off food drive in the Finch plaza last weekend, and this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., they're at Bright's Grove in front of the Foodland there."
Inn Executive Director Myles Vanni accepts donations from Exit Realty's Shana Fellows and Meghan DiBrita. October 2020. (Photo by the Inn)
He added that monetary donations go a long way.
"Certainly the monetary donations are really helpful because it allows us to focus on buying the things that we have the most need for, and the grocery stores here are great at helping to give us some deals and pack a big punch into our purchasing power, so those donations really help as well."
Vanni said about 135 local people left homeless by COVID have been put up in motels, which has also led to increased use at the food bank.
He said as some people return to work, they're hopeful their numbers will go down.
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