Partners launch Creemore food bank
A working group of community members and business owners are working out a plan to support local families in need by establishing a food bank in Creemore.
St. Luke’s Anglican Church Rev. Lorna May said there is an existing program to assist those in need, coordinated through the church, with the support of Creemore Foodland and others. At Christmas, assistance was provided to 100 local families and she routinely gives out grocery gift cards.
May said she has become aware that the need for an enhanced support network is growing, and it is only exacerbated by housing costs, the price of gas and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. Transportation and hours of operation can be barriers to accessing the food bank in Stayner.
Working with May so far is Sim Spry, of Foodland, Linda deWinter, of Creemore 100 Mile Store, John and Marie Miller, of Miller’s Dairy, Sandra Lackie, Joan Gordon and Sheila Koss.
The plan is to start small and provide assistance in a most sensitive manner by packing and delivering food to those who sign up.
The program will provide a conduit for local businesses that have excess products and are looking for a way to get them to those who would benefit.
The food bank will be accepting monetary donations and hopes to use those funds to purchase from local businesses those expensive essential household items such as laundry soap and paper products.
At this point, May said the group is looking to connect with potential partners that may have something to offer. The hope is to provide high quality, fresh and healthy food, as opposed to limiting supplies to canned and non-perishable food.
May said the food bank will be housed at St. Luke’s Anglican Church. Volunteers will be needed to pack and deliver the food once the program is fully operational.
Program coordinators hope to grow the program to include an education component, and maybe develop a logo with the help of youth.
They are open to ideas and input, as they work to assess the need in the community.
Anyone with something to offer, or anyone in need, is encourage to call Lorna May at 705-352-2759 or leave a message at the church, 705-466-2206.
