The Helping Hand Food Bank is celebrating its most successful year yet, after sharing its year-end fundraising and food donations totals, which has set records for the number of dollars and food raised in the organization's 30-year-history.
Nearly 800 businesses, faith groups, families and individuals came together to donate just under $340,000 and over 119,000 food products worth an estimated $315,000.
“We are overwhelmed and so grateful to our community for their generous support,” said Carolyn Khan, president of the Food Bank. “Thanks to this incredible generosity, we were able to provide Christmas gift cards to nearly 300 families, to keep our shelves stocked all through the winter and to save towards the capital costs of renovating and furnishing our new facility at the coming community hub. I want to say a huge thank you on behalf of the board to our donors, volunteers and community.”
“It’s really remarkable that the Food Bank has raised $340,000 thanks to our generous community,” said Coun. Jonathan Scott, the town's liaison to the Food Bank who, along with Brian Febel, serves as fundraising co-chair. “We’d set a fundraising record in 2020, and yet in 2021 we broke that record by over $55,000, and more than doubled the revenue average over the past few years. More than dollars and cents, this means the Food Bank will continue to serve residents in need during these trying pandemic times, even as the price of food increases.”
Part of the food bank's success was thanks to the organization's new website launches earlier last year, which allowed for online donations with credit card, and their online fundraising campaigns.
Since 1991, the Helping Hand Food Bank has served the community by helping to combat food insecurity, thanks to the generous support of donors and volunteers.
For more information and to donate, visit: www.bradfordfoodbank.ca
