West Island food bank to hold Sunday 'Porch to Pantry' food drive as donations dwindle
The West Island Mission usually has about three months worth of food at any time, but since donations have slowed down staff is unsure how much they will have to offer next week.
"We have nothing on the shelves," said executive director Suzanne Scarrow.
At their self-serve food bank, families can take what they need.
"If someone's reached out to a food bank, and is food insecure, at that time in their life, they should be choosing what their family needs," Scarrow said.
But these days, there isn't much choice. An urgent notice on its website says they are facing an "overwhelming demand."
About 1,000 people come to the Mission in Pointe-Claire for groceries every two weeks. The food bank has never had a problem with supply until now.
"We used to have three shelves of canned vegetables. Right now, there's next to nothing. It's scary times," Scarrow said.
With the rising cost of living in Canada, she said people aren't donating as much. About one quarter of the clients come from Pointe-Claire.
"Sadly, many of them are seniors and we are an aging community, so it's very important to us," said Pointe-Claire Mayor Tim Thomas.
"I'm asking the residents to be generous to support their neighbours. People are worse off than people think."
The Mission is holding a one-day"Porch to Pantry" food drive Sunday where residents can leave bags of food on their porches for pick-up.
Lyse Baudette put out three bags filled with items like juice and canned tomatoes. Those items were on sale, she said.
"It's awful. I buy on special almost exclusively lately," she said.
Lyse Baudette put three bags of donated food outside her home for pick-up. (Luca Caruso-Moro/CTV News)
Scarrow said high on their wish list is high-nutrition and non-perishable foods.
"Even canned meals, soups, rice, peanut butter, canned meat — tuna, salmon, chicken," she said.
People can leave their food out for pick-up in a labelled bag at 9 a.m. Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton dead following prison attack
Convicted B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, who preyed on women he lured from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside to his rural pig farm, has died.
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Edmonton Oilers looking for a road win in decisive Game 5 against Dallas Stars
The Florida Panthers are a victory away from securing a berth in the Stanley Cup final and the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a road win in a pivotal Game 5 at Dallas.
Baby dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to woman who was in police custody
A newborn is dead after being delivered via emergency C-section to a woman in police custody.
Jennifer Lopez cancels summer tour: 'I am completely heartsick and devastated'
Jennifer Lopez has cancelled her 2024 North American tour, representatives for Live Nation confirmed to The Associated Press.
This Calgary home has a giant tree in the middle, and it's for sale
There's a luxury 'tree home' for sale in Calgary.
DND moving 1,000 employees out of Ottawa office building due to safety concerns
The Department of National Defence is moving approximately 1,000 employees out of an office building in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood, citing safety concerns for its employees.
Man convicted of killing Toronto cop in 1980 granted day parole
A man convicted of murdering a Toronto police officer more than four decades ago has been granted day parole for six months.