St. Andrews moves to start food bank in town

About 50 people met in St. Andrews this week to discuss plans to establish a food bank inthe town.

Holly Johnson is spearheading the effort.

She became aware of the need when one of her children told her at the dinner table that a friendwas going hungry.

"He said, 'He hasn't eatenmuch in the last two days.' And I looked in front of me at our table, and we had a full spread that night and I looked and him and said, 'O.K., what are we going to do about it?'

"And he said, 'We're going to help him,'" Johnson recounted Wednesday in an interview onInformation Morning Saint John.

"It turned out they had a rough winter like a lot of people. They had been struggling, and they just reached a low point in the cupboards, and there wasn't a great deal there."

Group effort

Johnson and a group of approximately20 friends got to work on assisting the family. Within one day she was able to deliver a hot supper and other essentials to their home.

"It was amazing. We filled the fridge, we filled the cupboards, we filled the pantry and we've been helping them out for the past few weeks to help them getback on their feet," she said.

"And now that they're up and running and going to be O.K., they're willing to help us out with other families. So it's been an eye-opening experience, but a wonderful experience at the same time."

With momentum on itsside, the group began exploring the wider need for a food bank in the town.

Food banks are already established in nearbySt. Stephen and St. George. However, Johnson says they're too far away for people without adequate transportation.

"And they will deliver, I've learned that too, but it's once a month and it's one box of food and the dollar value is about $60," she said.

"So if you have a couple of children or numerous people in your family, I know personally $60 is not going to go very far."

Third attempt

A community meeting Monday night heard from Donna Linton of the Charlotte County Food Bank. It was her third timepresentingto the town about establishing a new centre.

The major stumbling block is finding a suitable location.

"People are willing to move the food, and help us to figure out who these people are in need, so I think the framework is in place, we just need to house it," said Johnson.

"Food prices are getting higher and higher, families, individuals and seniors will be able to access this. We need to get it done."

The site will have to have ample storage space, power, and access to a refrigerator and freezer. Johnson says the ideal location would be situated in a place that gives clients some privacy.

"We want to get our foot in the door, so we're open to anything," she said. "We want to get these bellies full, because there's nothing worse in the world than feeling hungry we can't continue to see these people going without."

Johnson says anyone interested in helping with the effort can join the FacebookpageSt. Andrews Food Bank.