The Estevan Salvation Army is still in need of donations for the food bank following the Summer Daze Food Drive.
The Salvation Army received about 300 pounds of food and about $2,700 in cash donations during the food drive, which ran from June 1 to 18. The cash donations will help them to partially replenish their shelves, which are only at about 30 per cent capacity right now.
“They’re looking pretty bare,” said Salvation Army Major Heather Harbin.
The food donations were likely a little higher than they would normally get, and Harbin attributes that to the food drive.
“Because it was a food drive, we thought there would be quite a bit more … than over a regular time, but it wasn’t as much,” said Harbin.
The cash donations were definitely better than they normally would have for a typical 18-day span.
But the food bank still has near-empty shelves heading into the summer months. Donations are at their lowest point in July and August. But the demand on the food bank doesn’t diminish in the summer.
“The demand has remained high for the food bank,” said Harbin. “We are constantly busy week after week.”
The food bank has seen a significant increase in demand during the past 18 months due to the economic slowdown in the Estevan area.
Harbin said they have a particular need for such basic foods as spaghetti sauce, rice, Lipton Sidekicks and Kraft Dinner. They have lots of soup.
Another food drive likely won’t happen during the summer months, since so many people will be out of the city for summer holidays. So the Salvation Army hopes they will be able to get through the next couple months until the Canada Post Food Drive in September.
