Christmas in June food drive helps restocked empty food bank shelves

Christmas is typically the season when food banks kick up donation and fundraising efforts, but one food bank network says they had to hold a massive fundraiser to stock up empty shelves.

The Bay of Islands Food Bank Network in Corner Brook held its Christmas in June food drive on Monday.

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Network co-ordinator Joy Connors says they managed to round up 25,000 pounds of food packed into two big U-Haul trucks.

With the cost in groceries, that effects everybody, so it's harder to give.- Joy Connors

Connors says the drive is vital for families struggling to put food on the table.

"It gets us through the summer months when the kids are home from school [and]they don't have the breakfast program, so they eat a lot more when they'rehome out playing," she said.

"The demand is still in the summer time as well. It's every month of the year, actually."

Compared to last year, there's been a decrease in the amount of both cash and food donations received at the food bank, and Connors believes there are a number of reasons for that.

"With Fort Mac, I guess people are giving their donations there," she said, referring to the wildfires that destroyed or damaged homes in the Fort McMurray area in May.

"The cost of food lately in the last few years I've seen an increase, and they're expecting another increase in food this year, so times are tough," she said.

Compared with an increase in demand at the food bank, Connors said it's challenging to make sure there's enough to go around.

"With the cost in groceries, that affects everybody, so it's harder to give," she said.

With all the hard work of volunteers and donations, Connors said this week's haul should hopefully see the food bank through to September.