Londoners give extra as demand increases
Tue, April 7, 2009
ANNUAL SPRING FOOD DRIVE
By CHIP MARTIN, LONDON FREE PRESS
Donations to the London Food Bank's spring food drive are up 20%, says co-director Glen Pearson.
The increase in donations matches a 20% increase in demand, said Pearson, who said it was "wonderful we are holding our own" in tough economic times.
He credited media coverage of sharply increased demand this year along with traditional donors knowing more people who have lost jobs and are struggling.
"It has made them more sensitive as to how they can give," he said of Londoners.
As of late yesterday, the food bank had collected 11,609 kilograms of food in the drive that began April 1 and ends Easter Monday, April 13. Last year, the amount raised by this point stood at 9,280 kgs, Pearson said.
He predicted demand will continue to grow this year as the economy falters and it will be an ongoing challenge to meet the needs.
Pearson said so far this year, 7% of families visiting the food bank have never done so before.
Londoners are being asked to understand the situation facing food bank clients by living on the contents of a food hamper the agency provides to families based on their size for a week.
He said he and wife Jane Roy and their three children are going to take the challenge themselves starting today.
"It's going to be interesting this year," said the Liberal MP for London North Centre who is home from Ottawa for the duration.