With the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank seeing a 39-per-cent increase in client numbers over last year, this year’s Superstore-sponsored Holiday Food Drive may be more critical than ever.
Superstore kicked off its annual event on Nov. 30 and will collect food until Sunday, Dec. 24. The grocery store acquired $6,336 in food and money last year and, based on the donations that customers have contributed so far this year, will likely bring in more.
In conjunction with Canadian food banks, the national office changed up the Holiday Food Drive by creating pre-packaged food bags for $5 and $10 that customers can purchase at the tills and deposit into a bin, explained Lesslie Ross, manager of Moose Jaw’s Superstore.
These bags contain either three items — such as a rice staple and two cans of lentil- or bean-type food — or multiple items of pasta, rice, canned meat or beans.
“This year, we’re already over $3,000 one week into the event. And honestly, (with) a lot more of the event, we’ve been focusing on the bags, which gives a little better value than the product shown,” he said, noting while the company introduced the bags in 2022, the store is pushing them harder this year.
“It’s done really well this year, way better than last year … . The bags are a better way to do it.”
Ross praised Moose Javians for being generous in their donations, noting that this year’s campaign has already collected 50-per-cent more donations than in 2022 despite being only one-third of the way complete.
Both organizations also held a mini food drive in late October/early November — the food bank was running low — that generated $2,800 in supplies and donations, with food bank staff on site talking with customers about the most-needed items, he continued. He hoped the food bank could return for another day at the store.
“Our customers seem to really appreciate being able to see them in person …,” Ross added.
Terri Smith, operations manager with the food bank, said the organization is excited for the return of Superstore’s Holiday Food Drive since the donations are a great help. Furthermore, it informs the public that the charity needs help supporting its clients, of whom there are 39-per-cent more than in 2022.
“This food drive is a big deal for us,” she stated.
The food bank’s “most wanted list” of supplies includes canned meat, canned fruits and vegetables, pork and beans or beans in tomato sauce, canned soups, cereal, oatmeal, Kraft Dinner, Sidekicks, Hamburger Helper, Ichiban noodles and rice.
The organization is also accepting diaper sizes three and up and baby formula.
“We’re doing OK so far. With numbers climbing the way they are, it’s a little bit scary (and startling compared to past years),” said Smith. “(We) won’t know for a couple more months how our food supply’s going to go because this right now is our busiest time of year … .
“We’ve had so many more clients that need help. There’s a lot of people really struggling with … all the rising prices.”
Visit https://mjfoodbank.org/ to donate to the organization.
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