BRACEBRIDGE - The board of directors of Manna Food Bank is appealing to the Bracebridge community to support its annual envelope campaign beginning April 6. Today’s edition of the Weekender contains a pre-addressed envelope to assist community members in making a donation to their local food bank. Charitable receipts are provided for each donation.
“As we launch our 2011 envelope campaign, your continued support is greatly needed, and much appreciated,” said Manna president Wendee Cameron.
Presently Manna has well over 200 families that depend on the services of our food bank every month. About 6,700 people from our community required Manna’s services last year. They receive an average of about $11.50 worth of food per person per visit.
Approximately one-third of Manna’s clients are children. Almost one-third are the working poor. Some clients only need one or two visits to get back on their feet, while others require ongoing assistance throughout the year. These numbers are growing.
The present economic situation has greatly affected a number of people in our community — so much so that Manna is experiencing an increased demand in the use of its services. It is seeing clients it has never seen before. January saw the highest client numbers in the food bank’s 23-year history. (Fortunately, that record-breaking trend has not continued into February.)
Every donation Manna receives is greatly appreciated, but please keep in mind that more than two-thirds of the food Manna distributes must be purchased. Cash donations are needed for such necessary items as baby formula.
This campaign is made possible by the generous support of the Bracebridge Examiner and Bracebridge Printing. Manna also thanks the people in the Bracebridge area for their generous assistance.
The Manna Food Bank is a charitable organization run entirely by volunteers whose mission is to see to it that the immediate needs of the hungry in our community are met. Manna is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. You can find it online at www.mannafoodbank.ca.
“Feed the Food Bank – Drive Hunger Away”