Food drive planned for June 4.

The Petrolia Food Bank is hoping to combat soaring need and sagging donations with a food drive.

On Sunday, June 4, volunteers will be set up at the food bank, Krall Park and Dawn Township Community Park in Rutherford to collect donations of non-perishable food, monetary donations and gift cards. There will also be a drop off location and barbecue at Wyoming Foodland.

Petrolia Food Bank Coordinator, Sandra Hartman, says the number of people looking for help from the food bank is up at least 30 per cent this year. Donations and monetary donations have also slowed.

“We absolutely understand with the increase in everything now, everyone is feeling the pinch and we understand this is a factor in the decrease of donations.”

Hartman hopes the summer food drive curbs a seasonal trend in giving.

“Summer months are usually the slowest for donations as families aren’t at churches nor school and are away, so it isn’t the for front of their minds which we understand.  But, the food bank is still very busy during the summers,” she says. 

“This food drive is to hopefully help restock our very low shelves so we are able to help all those in need throughout the summer, especially with kids at home for the summer.” 

The food bank is in need of any food donations – perishable or non-perishable and monetary donations including gift cards.

“We are not necessarily focusing on just lunch snacks as we are down all items for our stock at this time. We are just including the perishable and lunch snacks as added bonus to have on hand for the families.”