The Red River Food Bank released its financial report for 2023 this month.
The report shows an improvement from 2022, thanks to an increase in private donations and a decrease in expenses. Unfortunately, the demand for their services continues to grow.
The food bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes food to those who struggle to put food on the table. The 1,020 clients that were served in 2023 was a 40 per cent increase from the previous year.
Located at 156 Boyne Avenue West in Morris, it serves those in need from the Town of Morris, R.M. of Morris, and R.M. of Montcalm. The three municipalities share the rent expense of $6,768 based on the number of clients served at the food bank. Eighty per cent of the clients were from the Town of Morris, with 13 per cent from the R.M. of Morris and seven per cent from Montcalm.
“Since the first of the year we have been very fortunate,” shares director Pat Rempel. “The word of mouth and good volunteers have worked together to make us a healthy food bank. Church rotation through the year has also helped to promote the food bank with food donations and monetary donations.
“Knowing that cheques can be made out to the Town of Morris for a tax receipts has also helped the food bank,” Rempel added. “Our food drive this last September also brought the food bank to mind. With posters up in town and the bags going out in the mail, people know that the food bank volunteers are working together to do their part in making the food bank healthy.”
The fall food drive donations in food items and cash greatly helped improve the financial bottom line, Rempel said, and a large donation by a local business eliminated the expense of purchasing hamburger meat, a protein staple.
The Red River Food Bank opens its doors to clients at 8:30 a.m. every Friday morning.
It’s run by volunteers, some of whom arrive at 7 a.m. to get things ready for the day ahead.
Volunteers may work in one or more of several roles on a Friday, greeting clients, bagging food, stocking the shelves, or helping with food pick-up and delivery.
Typically, volunteers complete pickup and delivery tasks before Fridays, but on days when more products are needed, they might be asked greet clients and confirm they are eligible for aid. To use the services, clients must live in the catchment area.
Clients of the food bank are eligible to come once every two weeks. The food bank expects them to bring a completed order form of the items they would like and a reusable bag to carry the foodstuffs.
“The food bank helps me get through,” one client shared last week. “Coming here helps me make it.”
The food bank board sends thanks out to all the volunteers, businesses, and individuals who have donated time, money, and food to keep it operating.
