ESTEVAN - The Estevan Salvation Army has made changes to its food bank in an effort to provide more fresh items for its clients.
Director of ministry Ronza Reynard said they are trying to reach an 80/20 ratio, in which 80 per cent of the items clients receive are fresh – including produce, fruits, breads, meats and dairy products – and the rest are pre-packaged. Previously it was roughly 60 per cent pre-packaged, she said.
The Salvation Army has also introduced its top 10 list to inform the public of the items most consistently in demand: peanut butter, soup, rice, pasta, cereal, sugar, flour, pasta sauce, beans and canned meats/tuna. But they will continue to accept all items.
"When clients come in, they get pick from those 10 items, and then they get two or three different types of vegetables, two or three different kinds of fruits. They get eggs and milk," Reynard said in an interview with the Mercury.
She added the clients also receive fresh meat.
An increasing number of people who access the food bank have different health issues, including diabetes, pre-diabetes or celiac disease. Others are vegans or vegetarians, or base their selections on their cultural background.
"We're just giving them a better option because it's a store model, so they get to choose what it is they want," said Reynard.
Other clients struggled when they came and saw a lot of packaged food, especially if it's not foods they're used to eating. So, it helps when they can choose from fruits, vegetables and meats, and select items they know their family wants.
The ministry is about three weeks into this experiment. Feedback has been positive thus far, she said.
"For some people, they were asking 'Am I getting less?' and we're saying 'No, you're getting more, it's just different,'" said Reynard. "It's been a welcome change. We noticed a difference, and most of our clients … who have been coming in on a regular basis, have noticed it, and new clients just think this is the normal," said Reynard.
"We just want to be able to meet clients where they're at and be able to offer them a healthier choice, and it seems to be working out."
She believes the changes are moving the food bank in the right direction.
"Harvest will be starting soon, and people will be pulling from their gardens, and if people want to come and donate fresh produce, fruits or vegetables to the food bank, we would welcome it," she said.
If someone wants to donate food, Reynard suggested calling the Salvation Army to see what it needs, because it changes from week to week. If there are any fruits or vegetables that are brought it, they will be put on the shelves.
The Salvation Army also welcomes cash donations, which will be used to purchase more items.
Reynard is optimistic the Salvation Army will be able to remain within its budget, because it is spending less money on packaged items.
The food bank has plateaued at 280-340 clients per month, she said. People can access once a month. Once kids are back to school, she predicted families might be coming to the food bank a little more often and need help offsetting the cost of the grocery bill.
Reynard estimates the shelves are about 40 per cent capacity.
"It would be great to get a little bit of help to get us to the fall food drives," she said.
The Salvation Army is looking forward to the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive with Canada Post, which is always vital. And then they will be getting ready for their busy time in the final months of the year.
