NEW GLASGOW
A local food bank is hoping people will help restock its shelves during a food drive Thursday.
Susan Chickness, a volunteer with the Pictou County Food Bank (East) and member of the United Commercial Travellers Pictonian Council 879, said Wednesday this is the time of year that the shelves get low at the food bank so the second annual food drive by UCT is more than welcome.
“This is the time of year people sort of forget about us,” she said, adding the bank receives many donations during the Christmas holidays but that supply only lasts until the spring.
“The UCT did it a year ago and did really well at it,” she said. “They are hoping to surpass last year’s count.”
Chickness said the East food bank is currently serving close to 700 families a month, which is an increase compared to last year’s numbers.
“We are hoping it is going to level off sometime or I don’t know what we are going to do,” she said.
Items in need include canned meat such as tuna, ham, chicken and turkey as well as personal items such as soap, shampoo and toothbrushes.
The food bank can also accept cash and gift card donations from any of the local grocery stores as well as Walmart and Giant Tiger. It uses monetary donations to purchase milk, eggs, hamburger and vegetables.
The UCT food drive will take place Thursday at Sobeys locations –West Side, Stellarton, Aberdeen – as well as Superstore on Westville Road and Foodland in Westville from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
