In the spirit of this time of giving, between now and Christmas, the Richmond News is featuring the work of a local non-profit.
This week we shine the spotlight on the 35-year-old Richmond Food Bank.
There may not be a grotto and the elves are conspicuous by their absence, but the buzz reverberating around Richmond Food Bank Monday morning had a distinct Santa’s workshop vibe.
Workers from a local business, which had donated its employees’ time, were busy packing and loading produce, while teams of volunteers sorted out newly arrived donations.
The need for such a hive of activity lies in the demand from more than 1,400 people in Richmond, of all ages and ethnicities, for help with basic needs, such as food and clothing.
That need rises at this time of year, as the weather gets colder and wetter and the holiday pressure on parents to provide for their families peaks.
For the food bank’s executive director, Hajira Hussain, it’s a need she feels is highly unlikely to ever dissipate.
“I’ve been here five years and each year, the need increases; it has been going up five to eight per cent each year,” Hussain told the Richmond News, while on a coffee break with her team of volunteers.
“I think that correlates with the amount of new immigrants coming into the city. This is our 35th year and I was thinking recently, will there ever be a time when there is no need for the food bank in Richmond, when we’ve done our job and we can close our doors?
“I don’t think that day will ever happen. Our economy continues to drive the need for people to come to the food bank.
“This is, of course, our busiest time of the year. But as the need increases, the giving also increases.”
However, Hussain said Richmond is “blessed with a community that continues to care about their neighbours in need.”
“Without that support, we couldn’t keep this going. The community comes to us.”
Asked about the ethnic background of people coming to the food bank for help, Hussain said the organization’s different distribution locations bring different ethnicities to the table.
“In this location (Cedarbridge Way) I see a lot of Asians. On Thursday evenings, I see a lot of families,” she said.
“In east Richmond, I see a lot of Filipinos and on Saturday, at Blundell, I see a lot of South Americans.”
Next week will be especially busy, added Hussain, explaining a group of women have knitted more than 1,500 toques and scarves, which will be handed out each and every individual who comes to the food bank for help.
“The ladies who actually knitted the items will be giving out the toques and scarves at each of our distribution centres,” said Hussain.
In terms of food donations, the greatest need right now is canned protein, such as tuna, said Hussain, which “has been running low this year.
“We had to buy a lot of it. That’s where monetary donations come in.
“This year, however, our goal was to increase our perishable food offerings, so we now have a walk-in freezer, which allows us to store donations, such as chicken breasts and wings.”
Volunteers:
Margaret Comwyn and Pat Hehewerth have clocked up 25 years of volunteering between them at the food bank.
But they still keep coming back for more.
“It’s a worthy cause and the people are just great to work with, that’s a big part of it,” said Comwyn.
“I’ve never ever been to a distribution day, however, that’s just the way my schedule works. The community really comes together here, and there’s a great giving base and volunteering base.”
Hehewerth said she just loves to be involved in the community and also volunteers in the kitchen at the St. Alban’s community meal.
“I see many refugee families coming here and to the community meals. They are so appreciative. That, I guess, makes it all worthwhile,” said Hehewerth.
For more information on how to help the food bank, go online to RichmondFoodBank.org.
