Volunteers from the Westlock and District Food Bank have been making their rounds seeking financial help from local organizations and municipalities during what has been a tough summer.
Volunteers from the Westlock and District Food Bank have been making their rounds seeking financial help from local organizations and municipalities during what has been a tough summer.
After visiting Westlock County council's July 28 meeting and securing $6,000 in funding, food bank volunteers attended the Town of Westlock's Aug. 10 council meeting in search of more money to keep the struggling organization afloat.
The food bank did not receive an immediate donation, but instead was directed to apply for a grant under the town's grant policy, which is awarded in the fall.
Food bank vice-president Elaine Keller said despite a slew of recent donations, the organization is always in need of more funds.
'Our community has always been really supportive and quite generous," Keller said.
'But with the increase of need, the numbers coming, the cost of groceries and the added costs, we've now come to ask you for support."
Food bank treasurer Helen Renaud said many clients work two jobs and still cannot make ends meet, and are forced to rely upon the food bank's services.
'Some of them have more than one family living with them and they get minimum wage," she said.
'So they work two jobs and they're still coming to us and there's no way they can make ends meet."
In June, Renaud said, the food bank spent nearly $7,000 on groceries and served 490 people, of which 280 people were town residents with the remaining 210 from the county. Renaud added that due to declining funds the food bank has been forced to cut back what it gives to each client in order to cut costs.
Food bank past president Sister Eileen Boyle urged council to consider helping the organization.
'We have many contacts over the years that have still been giving and giving and I think it's time the town has to be responsible," Boyle said.
'If not, we're going to fold up."
Mayor Ralph Leriger asked about the organization's recent fundraising blitz.
'It's been great, we've been going to everybody. Everybody's been doing barbecues. We've been to two other significant people that have promised various things for us," Renaud replied.
'The problem that we have is that people give us a time-to-time donation and think they've done their [part] and it's continuous, we need continuous (donations) or we're not going to make it."
Leriger asked if the success of their recent drive means that the organization is now stable for the short term.
'We'll probably make it until after Christmas," Renaud replied.
Leriger said council would not make an immediate contribution, but did direct the organization to apply for grant money from the town.
'We're going to do our grants in the spring and fall and it's coming right up," Leriger said.
'The grant program closes in September and we'll make our decision in October," Leriger concluded
