By Laura Lennie, News Staff
Stoney Creek Community Food Bank representatives say visits by community members in need to the food bank have been down.
“I don’t know why, except that I think they’re gradually finding out how to get here,” chair Wilf Rogers said. “They’re starting to come, but it’s been slow.”
The food bank assisted 405 adults and 276 children for a total of 681 individuals at its new Creek Community Church 605 Hwy. 8 rear location in December.
In December 2010, at its old fire hall, 13 Lake Ave. S. location, the food bank helped 475 adults and 283 children.
The food bank, which relocated to the church in October, called the fire hall home for 19 years.
The fire hall, owned by the City of Hamilton, is set to be demolished or declared surplus.
“I think we’ve lost clients since moving here, mostly because they’re not able to get to this location,” treasurer and secretary Susan Rogers said.
Susan said she also thinks people who really need to visit the food bank don’t because they feel embarrassed.
“They’re trying to make ends meet, which sometimes can be hard, due to uncontrollable and unforeseen circumstances,” she said. “That’s what we’re here for, to look after people who are struggling, whether it is because they’re low-income, have lost their job, etc. There’s no shame in having to come here or go to any food bank.”
Wilf, who had been concerned about the food bank’s relocation, said, all in all, he’s happy with the move.
“It’s a complete change of everything – our routines, garbage pick up and so on – but we’re open for business,” he said, adding the food bank is looking into using the sign in front of the former church to increase its visibility. “We want people in need to know that we’re here and ready to help.”
Wilf said the same principle applies, should the Winona Food Bank at St. John’s Anglican Church become a causality of the closing of the Ontario Early Years Centre March 31 at the site.
The food bank opened at the church in 1990 and is operated by St. Matthew’s House.
Seventy-seven families are registered with the food bank, with 97 visits taking place from April 2010 to March 2011.
“I don’t want the people down at Winona Food Bank to think we’re infringing on their territory,” Wilf said. “We’re making it known, if the other one closes, we’re prepared to help.”
Rev. Susan Wells, acting executive director of St. Matthew’s House, says the hope is St. John’s Anglican Church will take over operation of the food bank after the closure.
She said the church used to run the food bank.
Representatives from St. John’s could not be reached by News deadline.
The Stoney Creek Community Food Bank is at the former Creek Community Church at 605 Hwy. 8, rear entrance.
The food bank’s hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, call (905) 643-2090.
