Londoners have helped ensure the shelves at the city’s food bank are full ahead of Thanksgiving this weekend.
The 34th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive kicked off October 1 and runs until Monday, and so far, donations have exceeded those of last year by double according to London Food Bank’s co-executive director Jane Roy.
“It’s kind of incredible in terms of just how people have returned back and have been making donations,” said Roy.
Roy said that as of Thursday evening the food bank had received more than 30,000 lbs of food donations and $40,542 in monetary donations, which translates to about 12,630 lbs of food (In 2022, 1 pound equals approximately $3.21). Last year’s final donation totals reached approximately 38,853
As of Friday afternoon, the food bank has updated their totals stating it has reached 60,615 lbs worth of combined food and monetary donations.
Last year’s fundraiser focused on monetary donations while a number of COVID-19 restrictions remained in place. This year saw the return of a more “traditional” food drive with donation bins in stores and fire halls along with a number of volunteers at grocery stores to help oversee grocery donations, which Roy believes helped boost up totals.
While many people across the nation have noticed their dollars aren’t going as far as they used to at the grocery store due to a rise in inflation, Roy said that she is surprised at how much the food bank has received, but added that Londoners have always been quite generous.
“Whenever we put out the call, Londoners have been great,” Roy said. This is a really difficult time, and there’s a lot of crisis’ going on and a lot of agencies that are needing help. We get it, there’s only so much people have to give.”
Roy previously said that in the last several months, the food bank has seen record numbers of families using its services. She said approximately 4,121 families go to the food bank per month, that’s up 30 per cent from one year ago.
Donations being counted as part of the food drive are being accepted until Monday. Items can be donated at participating grocery stores or at any London fire hall. Perishable items can be dropped off the food bank’s warehouse at 926 Leathorne St. Financial donations can also be made through the food bank’s website www.londonfoodbank.ca.
The gap between last year's total and this year continues to widen – 60,615 lbs (2022) vs. 38,853 (2021).
Our community is becoming more generous in tough economic times, not less. That's the essence of Thanksgiving. Thank you so much, London.#LdnOnt @LondonFoodBank1 pic.twitter.com/2p9aREwQOs
— Glen Pearson (@GlenPearson) October 7, 2022
