Food Bank calls for donations as ‘Light It Up’ campaign closes

The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre’s annual “Light It Up” holiday drive is running for one more week, and the food bank put out a call for donations to help bring the campaign to a strong conclusion.

The campaign encourages community members to donate food or funds, as the food bank has seen a recent increase in demand. According to the food bank, one in four children in Saskatchewan are experiencing poverty, a figure which highlights the need for donations.

Laurie O’Connor, the food bank’s executive director, said the campaign is an important one to help the food bank get through the coming year.

“With the increased demand for our services, this support is crucial to meeting the needs in the community,” O’Connor said in a statement.

“We are thankful for the support we have seen from the community so far during our holiday campaign and want to encourage more folks to donate during the last week of the campaign.”

The items the food bank needs most include baby food and formula, canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soups or stews, whole grain pasta and cereal, canned protein and peanut butter. Cash donations are equally important, the food bank noted, as they allow the food bank to buy in bulk and make the funds go even further.

“Whether you are experiencing poverty, or you live a life that is filled with abundance, everyone in the community has one thing in common – we are all hoping for better days ahead,” O’Connor added.

“When each person takes a small action, or comes together for a great cause, those actions light up the city, making it clear what people care about most – one another.”

More information on the holiday campaign can be found on the food bank’s website.