The North Bay Food Bank just made it easier for the public and businesses to take some of the pressure off keeping its shelves stocked with the food it needs.
The concept behind the 'Just One' campaign, launched Tuesday at Parker's Independent Grocer, is to get grocery shoppers into the habit of purchasing one extra item every time they shop, and donating it to the Food Bank.
Volunteer board member Dan Demers explains that signs at the point of purchase will guide shoppers by indicating which particular food item is in short supply that month. Over the coming weeks, posters, social media awareness, and handouts will explain how the public can help.
"Before we did this, we were spending $7,000 to $8,000 at peak times on groceries just to meet our current needs on a monthly basis. As soon as we introduced these signs, that number cut down in half. Asking people for the kinds of inventory we need, or reminding them when they enter grocery stores, has been hugely impactful."
Demers says there is always going to be the need to purchase food, which is where corporate capital contributions, and individuals contributing through its web site on a recurring basis, are useful.
The new Community Capital Campaign, the second part of the launch, encourages local businesses to participate by engaging staff members.
"Let them know the Food Bank needs their help every time they go into the grocery store. We've provided marketing materials to them, posters to put up in their place of business. The other way is we have stickers that will convert any blue box into a donation bin, that's an easy way for any organization to help us. We track the weight and we'll know exactly what kind of impact each organization has."
Businesses are also encouraged to purchase different corporate support packages ranging from $500 to $10,000 annually.
"Depending on the package, they include recognition through social media, recognition on our web site. We're creating a brand new interface, some real cool stuff so they're not only going to be investing in food and security, like immediate needs, they're also going to help us build the infrastructure we need."
Food Bank Manager, Amber Livingstone says getting the community to embrace the idea of donating one item whenever they shop will go a long way towards feeding the hungry. Once the item is purchased, it goes into the grocery collection bin in the store, and volunteers from Purolator, the military as well as the food bank, will pick up the donations and deliver them to the Food Bank.
"It's like the idea of tipping at a restaurant. If you didn't tip at a restaurant, you would find it very strange. So if we can get that feeling like it's normal to buy one item and donate it at the grocery store, we could really change the face of food insecurity in North Bay."
Stuart Parker, the owner of Parker's Your Independent Grocer, says the store wholeheartedly supports the initiative. He says the new signage is bringing awareness to a whole new level.
"We always had the food bank bin, but the food of the month signage in the aisle highlighting the items that they're low on, makes it easy for the customer, and it gives the food bank and the people who use it, what they need," said Parker.
"We get so wrapped up and so busy with two thousand customers coming through a day, that we take people out shopping for granted.But there are people out there who can't come to a grocery store because they can't afford it. For me what hits home is a lot of those people are kids. My staff believes in the program from the cashiers all the way through."
Joanne Lebel was busy doing her own grocery shopping when the program was explained to her, she immediately jumped on board.
"Our community definitely needs help, students and the elderly included, so I think it's a great thing on their behalf," said Lebel. "I definitely will be buying extra. I like knowing I'm getting them something they need, knowing it is something nutritious."
At this point, five North Bay grocery stores are involved.
The Food Bank serves between 1,100 and 1,300 people a month, which includes seniors on fixed incomes.
