Harvest for Hunger donation campaign 'critical' for Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay's Regional Food Distribution Association is gearing up to launch its annual Harvest for Hunger campaign Oct. 2-4.

And it can't start soon enough, for Volker Kromm who, as association executive director, sees first hand the reality of hunger.

"All of our member food banks are getting in the situation where it's very difficult to keep up with demand," Kromm said.

"Where food banks had 35 people, they are now up to 75 coming in for hampers. For us, this campaign is really critical."

The association includes more than 40 food banks and feeding programs throughout the region.

Local grocery stores are stepping up to help. Volunteers will be at stores throughout the city, starting on Thursday, collecting food items and financial donations from shoppers.

The association feeds roughly 14,000 people each month, Kromm said, and the need for donations are growing.

"More and more are becoming dependent on that social net. [Instead of] coming once a month, they have to do double or go to different food banks just to keep their heads above water".

Even a small donation can have a big impact, he noted.

"If you have a can of soup, that's a meal for a number of people. It's easy to translate the cans to meals and it gets multiplied with all the small faces and hungry bellies out there."

The Harvest for Hunger campaign will run Thursday to Sunday at a number of Thunder Bay grocery stores. Donations can also be made directly at the RFDA offices on South Syndicate Avenue.