Helping Hand is grateful for community support

Helping Hand Food Bank held its AGM on May 20. The food bank’s board of directors includes Carol Currier, Amberleigh Lannoo, Tom Langrell, Karlee Slattery, Jennifer Goncalves, Wayne Vansevenant, Susan Saelens, Sara Dekeyser, Marian Smith, (with coordinator Samantha Hamilton), and Doug Cooper. (Chris Abbott Photo)

Chris Abbott, Post Correspondent

There is rising demand for Helping Hand Food Bank services in Tillsonburg.

At the food bank’s May 20th annual general meeting, it was noted that in 2023 the Helping Hand Food Bank supported 5,165 area people (3,676 households). In 2024, the need grew and the food bank supported 7,036 people, an increase of 35 per cent.

“We are on target, right now, to exceed all of that,” said Samantha Hamilton, who came onboard as food bank coordinator in September 2024, estimating a 5-7 per cent increase overall in 2025 based on numbers from Feed Ontario, which represents more than 1,200 food banks and hunger-relief organizations across the province. Food Canada is projecting closer to a 20 per cent increase in 2025.

“We’re sticking with that (5-7 per cent) number until we start to see some actual statistics that come out of that (rising tariffs). We are preparing for it, but not panicking about it, if possible.

“Our backpack program, which is separate, but under the same food bank umbrella, we had a total of 58 children at the end of the year,” said Hamilton, “which again is going to increase. We are at 75 right now. That gives you an idea of the increase that we are seeing across the board.”

The food bank’s backpack program continues throughout the summer.

Building partnerships and sponsorships are key priorities, she said, and bulk purchasing will help lower food costs.

“The move to our new building has been very successful and has served to make the public more aware of the needs for this community,” said Marian Smith, treasurer, in her AGM treasurer report. “Demands for services are continually increasing, which puts a stress on the requirements for more funding. Our new coordinator, Samantha (Hamilton), has proved a godsend in this regard as she is constantly on the lookout for grants and more wholesale opportunities to purchase food.”

In addition to corporate support, and support from charitable foundations, businesses and local industries, churches, service clubs and individuals, Smith noted there were also two estate bequests, including a bequest of more than $260,000.

E-transfer donations are increasing, she added.

“Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude to our community for the generous support Helping Hand Food Bank has had over the years and continues to experience,” Smith concluded.

Helping Hand president Doug Cooper thanked the board of directors for their commitment and passion, and thanked the many food bank volunteers.

“When anyone asks me about the food bank, I always talk to them about the amazing work our volunteers do and how they work as a team with their individual responsibilities. We could not do what we do without the volunteers.”

Cooper also gave a “big thank you” to individuals who donated to the food bank, the many sponsors, and their new coordinator.

“Helping Hand Food Bank will continue to evolve as the demand for food insecurities increases,” said Cooper.

Food bank services are expected to expand in 2025 to include Tuesday client service, likely in the fall, said Hamilton, through an online portal for scheduling appointments and shopping lists.

“We can actually pack and prepare before they get here, to serve more clients, so that nobody’s being left behind just because they can’t get an appointment time or can’t get somebody on the phone.

“Wednesdays will still run the same,” Hamilton noted.

Helping Hand Food Bank has recently submitted all of the information required for the Food Banks Canada Standards of Excellence accreditation.

“We’re ahead of the curve on this, which is nice. A lot of work went into that.”

New partnerships are developing with Helping Hand, the Salvation Army, Cycles of Life and St. Vincent de Paul in Tillsonburg, who are meeting monthly.

“We’re all trying to do the same thing… we’re just trying to make sure people aren’t hungry, and that is the only measurement, to me, that is success,” said Hamilton. “Are people in Tillsonburg hungry or not? If it’s ‘not,’ that means we are doing a good job. However we go about doing it, that is still a success.”