OVERWHELMING SUPPORT
North Sydney Food Bank receives overwhelming support after plea for donations
Food bank’s desperate plea yields results.
Ask and you shall receive — that was the case for the North Sydney Community Food Bank earlier this week.
Officials with the local food bank, located at the old train station in North Sydney, made a plea to the community on Tuesday in an attempt to restock the empty and half-empty shelves with non-perishable food items.
On Wednesday, the food bank received the support it desperately needed when 160 boxes of food and personal care items were delivered by what’s known as the “reclamation” truck.
The truck is owned by the disposal company Stericycle and is based in Brampton, Ont. The company was hired by grocery chains to deliver food that can’t be sold because of packaging damage.
“It was a surprise,” said Robert Dolomont, a volunteer with the food bank for the past seven years. “We were hoping to get such a donation for several weeks and we do get that every now and again — thankfully it was now.”
In an interview with the Cape Breton Post, Tuesday, Lawrence Shebib said the food bank hadn’t seen the truck in close to six weeks.
“It was a coincidence that the article appeared in the Cape Breton Post on Wednesday and the truck showed up the same day,” said Dolomont. “Somebody is looking after us.”
The North Sydney Food Bank, which serves the communities of North Sydney, Georges River and Leitches Creek, has more than 700 active client files and serves an average of 170 families a month.
Prior to Wednesday’s delivery, the food bank had enough supplies to provide a regular grocery order for clients this week, but was concerned for future orders — that’s no longer the case.
“We’re back on track now, fingers crossed, so we’re now just looking towards the spring,” said Dolomont. “We’re good, well into the spring for sure.”
Wednesday’s donation didn’t only help the North Sydney Food Bank as items were shared between food banks in Sydney Mines and Glace Bay.
Aside from the items delivered by the truck, the food bank also received numerous monetary and food donations from individuals in the community as well as local church groups.
“We’re so grateful for people that think of those less fortunate and on the Northside, people should be proud of themselves with regard to what they’re doing and what they’re contributing,” said Dolomont.
“I know they don’t see the faces on the clients on a Friday, but we do, and we know they’re grateful for the supplies that they’re given.”
“We’re always open for donations — we never refuse anything,” said Dolomont. “The cost of living is going crazy and with the unemployment situation and we know the poverty levels around here, people need help and we always need donations.”
The North Sydney Food Bank doesn’t have set hours, however it is open Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. as well as Thursday and Friday for most of the day, and Saturday 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
To arrange a donation or if assistance is needed, contact the facility at 902-794-1104.