Tofield, Ryley & Area Food Bank gets more than $1.3k from the Mercury
This year, The Tofield Mercury’s ‘Fill the Tree’ program raised $1,385 for Tofield, Ryley & Area Food Bank.
Despite the economic downturn, community members rallied in and stopped by to show their support.
“Both individuals and organizations have been incredibly generous this past month during the holiday season especially,” said Food Bank President Dawn Arnold. “Although we don’t have the exact statistics yet, we have seen a huge amount of food donated in pounds from various individuals and organizations.”
Just to give a comparison, Arnold explained, that compared to last year’s 3,700 lbs. from individuals, this year it was 10,400 lbs. From churches, it was 5,800 lbs., compared to last year’s 5,300 lbs. Even the Christmas Hamper Committee food donations went up from 1,200 lbs. in 2018 to 2,500 lbs. this year.
“There were also donations from the schools, IGA, Busy B, and other organizations,” Arnold noted. “ We are finding that we have many new individuals and families accessing the Food Bank since July, and especially in December.” . . . contd.
