MIKE ATHEY
CAMPBELL’S BAY Nov. 25, 2020
The food bank in Campbell’s Bay is collecting names so they can start putting together Christmas food baskets for those than need a little boost.
Bouffe Pontiac is informing the public there is still time to subscribe to the Christmas food basket service.
Director Kim Laroche said the deadline to sign up is Dec. 4 and to pass on the information “if they know someone who needs it.”
This year, employees will be selecting . . .
what goes into the baskets due to COVID-19 as opposed to a more engaging process in the past.
“What we’d usually do is count every unit of food that comes in to see how much we can give in different food baskets,” said Laroche. They would then allow recipients to pick out a select amount of food from a category of fresh food, vegetables, soups and cereals.
Recipients will instead be assigned an appointment time where they can come collect their pre-made baskets.
Bouffe has also faced struggles with the cancellation of their annual food drive, which usually takes places the first Thursday in December.
Groups of volunteers would typically gather at busy intersections in the region to fundraise, which was not possible due to COVID.
Laroche said that she is examining ways to raise the approximately $10,000 they would normally bring in during the food drive. an option to conduct an online virtual food drive is on the table.
Laroche said the public has been extremely supportive during these trying times.
“If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t still be here,” she said.
