STOCKING

Many of them families, the regular clients of the food bank range from 250 to 280 per month.

“Just a steady increase, more so than dramatic,” Rev. Newell said of the latest trend. “It hasn’t spiked or anything, but it has increased by maybe 10 or 12 or 15 (clients) a month.

“They visit once a month and they get a fair supply of stuff. I mean, it won’t feed them for a month, but it certainly will be a big help.”

Help is a critical part of the food bank operation, whether that’s volunteers stocking the shelves, community groups organizing food drives, or people and businesses making donations of food or money.

“We’re blessed because we have people in the community who support us financially on a fairly regular basis so that we’re able to purchase when we’re short on different things,” Rev. Newell said. “So, our shelves stay pretty full. It’s all part of the process.

“We get a good food drive and we may not have to buy for a week or two. But there’s always some things you’re short of, so you just keep things balanced and the shelves pretty well-stocked.”

Of course, food drives are a lifeline for any food bank, and Yarmouth is no different. As examples, Newell mentioned the recent efforts of Meadowfields Community School, as well as community drives in East Pubnico and Wedgeport.

“And then, closer to Christmas, the EMS group here (in Yarmouth) usually have a Saturday that they go out to the Superstore and put on a Stuff the Ambulance drive. They do quite well. RCMP usually do Stuff the Cruiser.

“So, there’s different ones that come on at different times.”

One of those rallies lately was the annual food drive organized by the Interact Club at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School.

“The Interact Club, which is a high school branch of Rotary, they do a Halloween drive,” Rev. Newell said. “If the kids have the energy and the interest to go out at Halloween and canvass for food, more power to them.”

Yarmouth Food Bank Society is powered by a team of volunteers who rotate and donate their service as the need arises.

“We have a good supply of volunteers of people to call on regularly,” the chair said. “We have a list of people (known as) spares, so if someone can’t come, we can fill the gap.

“Our community support is excellent and I’m very thankful for that.”

He senses a fighting spirit and resilience in the community, both from people giving and receiving.

“I’m sure many of them are struggling, and if we can help give them a hand up, why that’s what we’re there for.”

Yarmouth Food Bank, located at 2 Herbert St., is open Tuesday afternoons.

Anyone wishing to make contributions can drop them off at the food bank or contact Rev. Newell: phone 902-7422237 or mail 124 Brunswick St., Yarmouth, N.S., B5A 2H1.