Volunteering Counts: How to Help Halton Food Banks

The statistics are shocking: in Halton 7.6 per cent of children and 8.3 per cent of youth live in poverty. In an affluent region, five percent of Halton’s families live below the poverty line. In our area, after taxes, a single person on social assistance can’t afford 47 per cent of their basic needs. What this means is that people on social assistance or those working for minimum wage don’t receive adequate funds to afford shelter, clothing and food. This is where local food banks step in to help, and local residents’ contributions are vitally needed.

Many local food banks are looking for donations. In Oakville, donating to Fareshare will help to provide meals for the 300 families that they serve monthly. Most needed by Fareshare are non-perishable food items, including canned luncheon and other meats, canned fruit, canned pasta, canned tomatoes, stew, apple juice and large jars of baby food.

Donations can be dropped off at Fareshare, located at 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 6. The foodbank is open from 10am.-2 pm. except Sundays.

Volunteers are also needed by Fareshare, and getting involved is a great way for high school students to earn some of their mandatory 40 hours of community service. Potential volunteers should call Ron Ziegel at 905.845.8014 (evenings) or call the foodbank at 905.847.3988.

Monetary donations are as important to Fareshare as food donations. Cheques (for which income tax receipts will be issued) can be sent to: 1240 Speers Road, Unit 6, Oakville, ON, L6L 2X4. For more information call 905.847.3988.

In Burlington The Burlington Food Share Agencies, which include the Partnership West Family Support Network and The Salvation Army Family Services, assist approximately 1,500 people each month. The food bank shelves are low right now and donations are urgently needed. Donations of money are equally important since cash donations are used to buy large volumes of bulk food at a lower cost. A charitable tax receipt can be issued.

Financial donations can be made payable to: Partnership West-Food Share and mailed to 19-460 Brant St. Burlington, ON, L7R 4B6. People are asked to donate canned fish, canned fruit, peanut butter, canned juice and toiletries. For more information call 905.639.7928.

Shoeless Joe's Restaurant is working with the Partnership West Food Bank, 1254 Plains Rd. East to help raise more 1,000 lbs. of food and $1,000. The restaurant's local goal is part of a provincial-wide food drive which aims to raise more than 35,000 lbs of food for the Ontario Association of Food Banks. To help reach each location's goal, local schools, sports teams and fire departments will be invited by restaurant management to participate. In Burlington, cash or food donations can be dropped off at either of the two Shoeless Joe's locations - 4045 Harvester Rd. or 2000 Appleby Line.

Please take the time to donate some canned items or write a cheque to help those in Halton who are struggling.

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