BURIN, N.L. — BURIN, N.L It’s a busy time of the year ahead for food banks in this province, and the Food Bank at St. Patrick’s Parish in Burin is no different.
Florence Drake, chair of that local food bank, told The Southern Gazette, the bank is busy all year, but they see a spike in usage three times a year.
“Our busiest time of the year is September, with the kids going back to school. December is busy with people getting ready for Christmas. January we’re swamped,” she said. “It’s really busy in January cause it’s a long month and everyone got all their money used up.”
The food bank at St. Patrick’s serves the town of Burin and beyond, including Garnish, Frenchman’s Cove, Epworth, St. Lawrence, Lawn, Lamaline.
She added that over the past two years she has seen an increase in the number of people using the food bank.
Currently, she says, they help about 10 clients a week, providing them with a package of groceries to do several meals for a week.
“We give them a little bit of everything we have,” explained Drake. “Like kid’s lunch can food . . . juice packs, puddings, something to make a sandwich.”
Donation of items such as fruit cups, apple or orange juice packs, cereal treats and pudding cups to fill a child’s lunch box are always welcomed.
As they head into this Christmas season Drake said the food bank is doing well with supplies, but supplies often start to run low in January.
She noted the Burin Volunteer Fire Department collects food donations during the annual Santa Claus Parade to help stock their shelves.
She does have a bit of advice for people donating to the food bank, check the expiry date.
“Some things that come in we have to throw in the garbage it because it is outdated.”
Along with the donations the food bank receives from people and organizations, some community businesses have also partnered with them to provide food and money.
Over the past two years Sobeys in Marystown, as well as Walmart have been providing assistance.
That help is ‘fantastic’ said Drake.
“Before all we had was the Community Food Sharing (Network) in St. John’s and our local churches (to) support us.”
*Editor’s note The Southern Gazette made an error in the Dec.4 edition referring to Florence Drake, as Florence Barry. The Southern Gazette would like to apologize for the mistake.
