The London Food Bank's annual Thanksgiving food drive is officially underway, but unlike in previous years, the non-profit is also collecting donations of new socks for the homeless.
The food bank has partnered up with 519 Pursuit, an organization dedicated to helping people living on the streets of London. They are asking Londoners out shopping to include a new pair of socks with their grocery donations.
"The donated socks will go to 519 Pursuit who will deliver them to people living on the streets in time for the cold weather," said Jane Roy, co-executive director of the London Food Bank. "The food bank is about two things - helping people directly through the food bank and through working with other agencies. 519Pursuit has been one of those groups we've been assisting with regard to homeless lunches."
Using food donated to the food bank, agencies like 519 Pursuit have been able to deliver at least 16,200 lunches in the last 120 days to people in London who call the streets home. 519 Pursuit typically hands out 50 prepackaged meals each day Monday to Friday.
"Those who are receiving the lunches are very, very thankful. When COVID hit, everything was closed and where their next meal would come from became even more uncertain," said Allison DeBlaire, co-founder of 519 Pursuit. "Our volunteers meet with them at their location, be it on the sidewalk or in a park."
DeBlaire notes in addition to meals, her agency also provides much needed human interaction to those who often feel forgotten.
"Just checking on someone every day, making sure they know there is a person in the community that they can look for and talk to really changes the outlook on life and the willingness to do better for one's self," said DeBlaire.
Donations for the Thanksgiving food drive are being accepted at select grocery stores throughout the city and at the food bank's warehouse at 926 Leathorne St. For the second time this year, the food bank is also shifting a large portion of the drive online because of the novel coronavirus.
"Not only was the first virtual food drive in the spring an incredible success, but people kept giving us money throughout the whole course of the pandemic and they were really focused on assisting us, which was amazing," said Roy. "One of the biggest opportunities for us with the virtual drive is that we can use all the cash we receive to purchase the food items we don't have as much of. We can get fresh food like milk and eggs."
Usage of the food bank went up at the start of the pandemic before falling off a bit as the federal government rolled out financial assistance. However, heading into the fall months the numbers have once again begun to climb.
"The folks who came to us in September was a 10 per cent increase over the folks who came to us in August. We don't really know what is going to happen in the future but we do know that there is still a lot of people out there who need help," said Roy.
During the first nine months of the year, the food bank has helped an average of 2,679 families each month.
The Thanksgiving food drive runs until October 12. To donate virtual click here.
