Local Food Bank prepared for community needs post COVID-19
The Tofield, Ryley & Area (TRA) Food Bank has been a major support to their clients through this COVID-19 pandemic, but President Dawn Arnold and her team is already thinking ahead post re-opening, when people might not have recourse to emergency funds or deferments anymore.
“When the time comes, we are willing to add more shifts on a temporary basis, to deal with the increase in need,” Arnold said. “We have four volunteers ready to deliver hampers when needed, and we have a cadre of volunteers ready to shop for what we may need at a moment’s notice.”
Additionally, in the Food Bank’s Community Garden in the front of the building, Treva Piekema and various volunteers and donors have readied three more raised garden beds for a total of five.
Piekema, Kay Procter, and Brenda Friedenberg along with several other volunteers have been organizing the beds and planting vegetables for clients and the community to access.
“At this time, we do not have a plan in place to provide a Breakfast Program from the Food Bank,” Arnold added. “We did offer to have a volunteer to hand out granola bars at specific times during homework pickup days at the schools, but we were told that wasn’t necessary. We are open to suggestions, but please keep in mind that we do not have a regular kitchen, nor do we have the manpower to add five more shifts on to our volunteers!”
According to Arnold, the Food Bank has received wonderful support with regards to financial and food donations since the March announcement of the Covid-19 crisis. . . . contd.
