Olivier said the TC&S Food Bank is fortunate enough to receive items from other local food banks and organizations through the Quinte Regional Food Share Shelter, which uses Gleaners Food Bank in Belleville as a hub.
“When I get larger donations sent to me or (when I get) contacted about larger donations, and my facility doesn’t really isn’t designed for that, I can send them off to Gleaners. They also were able to accept larger donations from Feed Ontario. We’re constantly back and forth, picking up goods and trading goods and distributing,” he outlined.
He added they partner a lot with the peer support organizations in town, such as Community Partners for Success and Catherine’s Kitchen, who make meals for those in need.
“I purchase fruit and vegetables, and I purchase a little extra to supply them as well, so that while they’re doing their meal program, they can give out an extra piece of fruit and we can help them with (purchasing) the potatoes and carrots and onions and things like that, because I’m buying in larger quantities.”
“They can always ask me to reach out to me with how many of their needs, and if I’m able to help them out, I certainly do, because again, it’s about finding solutions for people who are needing more food in our area.”
One recent initiative started by the food bank is the Share Market, a grocery-style model that allows anybody to walk through the food bank and put items they need in their carts.
