At a time when reliance on food banks is unprecedented, food and monetary donations have become a lifeline for area food banks. Three thousand butterball turkeys were donated to Feed the Need in Durham as part of the company’s annual goal to donate 17,000 servings of turkey across the country.
“Each year, Butterball Canada is proud to donate to food banks across Ontario,” said Chef Shahir Massoud. “We actually donate 17,000 servings of turkey across the country, 8,000 in the province, and this year we chose Feed the Need Durham. »
Eight thousand turkeys will be donated to Feed Ontario, which includes Feed the Need.
“In Durham Region, we have seen a 53 per cent increase in food bank visits and we are seeing more than 205,000 visits per year to food banks in our region, which is an unprecedented number for us,” said Ben Earle, CEO. from Feed the Need in Durham. “So any donation, especially during this time of the season, around the holidays, so that people can make sure they have their holiday meals, is appreciated and therefore necessary.”
Feed the Need Durham’s 2023 Hunger Report shows more than 205,000 visits to area food banks, and a quarter of those clients were first-time users. This increase has impacted those trying to meet the need, coupled with rising food prices at the grocery store and fewer donations.
According to the report, more than 800,000 people in the province used a food bank.
Earle said food bank use in the region stood at more than 200,000 visits between 2020 and 2022, and that number has since doubled.
The hope is that these turkeys will go to local area families in need, for a chance to eat a nourishing meal this holiday season.
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