Scare away hunger with food donations

The Petawawa Pantry Food Bank is doing its best to make hunger an urban legend by turning trick or treating into its Treat or Eat campaign. Now in its fourth year, the campaign encourages people to ask for donations of non-perishable food while collecting their Halloween bounty. Alternatively, residents are asked to create “official drop-off homes” to collect food donations right at their front door.

The Petawawa food bank is currently looking for volunteers to either collect food donations from the community or to create these drop-off zones. Those who elect to stay at home are given a poster to hang in their window, flyers to distribute and are asked to drum up interest so people are prepared in advance.

“The community is honestly amazing,” said Organizer Cheryl Paquette. “Last year, I would say, ‘I’m looking for donations for the food bank,’ and they’d run to their pantry and find something.”

The campaign is also great for adults, as well as teens who feel they are too old to trick or treat but still want to partake in the festivities. They can still go door to door but do it with a noble cause in mind.

“There are a lot of people who would benefit from this as well as the food bank,” said Paquette. “People can literally show up here at five o’clock and we will pair them with a walker and a driver and a street.”

“If you are feeling a bit isolated, this is a fun thing to do,” she added

The Pantry is hoping to drum up awareness before Halloween so people who want to donate will have extra time to collect their non-perishable goods.

The statistics for food bank usage in Petawawa is climbing. In 2018, there were 467 visits from 246 individuals. “It is open to everybody in Petawawa,” said Paquette, adding all they need proof of residence.

There are some items that the food bank is always looking for like peanut butter, minute rice, coffee, hot cereal, canned fruit and juices. Hygiene products are always in high demand. At this time, they are not looking for beans, lentils, soup mixes, pasta, tuna or canned soups.

“Things like ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise are special treats,” said Paquette, adding snacks for kids’ lunch boxes are always sought after.

Community members interested in volunteering for the Petawawa Pantry Food Bank as a trick or treater or neighbourhood collection point are asked to contact the Food Bank at 613-687-1616 or petawawapantryfoodbank@gmail.com.