PEI Food Share fights hunger through sharing

Islanders who can't find room in the freezer for those leftoverslike that half-pan of lasagnaare enthusiastically sharing them with others using aFacebookpage called PEI Food Share.

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Thenon-profit grouppicks up fruit, vegetables, dairy products, meat and prepared meals from homes and stores across the Islandanddelivers themto those who'd like to have them.

"I saw somebody had a big bag of flour yesterday that they couldn't use," saidFoodShare founderChristy Morgan.

"Sometimes they're feeling generous and they want to help out and they'll post groceries that they have available. Maybe they've done a lot of cooking and maybe have extra supper portions thatweren'tserved, but they would like to give away to somebody."

Food group growing

Morgan,who'sfrom Charlottetown, started the organizationjust a few months agoand already has 1,700 members across the Island.

"You do see it really clearly how it does make a difference, and these are the people who may not go to food banks because they're tooembarrassed, or because they feel they have been too often, or they don't qualify. They don't think of themselves as being in need, according to society, but they know that they do need the help," said Morgan.

PEI Food Share delivers two to three times a week to one low-income seniors residence, where occupants expressed gratitude for thebags of goodies.

"Extra bread, potatoes, last week we had carrots, this stuff all comes in handy. Even things like these treats, we can't afford to go to TimHortonsand buy a $3 doughnut," said DorothyDedman. She pointed out hermonthly government chequeworks out to about $10a day, which barelycoversthe cost ofthree meals.

"It doesn't bother me. I'm glad to get something free in my life," added resident JoanAxworthy. "I've lived all my life working. It's time I'm getting free stuff."

The positive feedback is music to the ears of Morgan and her partnerRobYlkoswho often delivers the donations.

"It put a little tear to my eye. It was nice, it was touching to hear them say nice things like that. Makes us feel that it's really worth our while to do this,"YlkostoldCBC Island Morning'sPatMartel.

PEI Food Share now has 27 organizers who pick up and deliver food across theIsland.Morgansaidshe carefully screens theserepresentativesto ensure they are reliable and trustworthy.