As the holiday season gets closer and people’s spirits grow more generous, the Georgetown Bread Basket (GBB) is enjoying a windfall of goods for local residents in need.
The food bank's social media accounts are filled with smiling faces grateful for the willingness of the community to help.
Among those thrilled with the recent outpouring of support is the GBB's new chair, Anette Walker.
She arrives at a time when food precarity and the Bread Basket’s clientele are on the rise and her organization is examining new ways to meet demand. Among her team’s ideas are an Amazon wishlist to break down barriers between donors and the local food bank, which is also spotlighting community members who go above and beyond to help, therefore encouraging others to do the same.
“I feel that our board is very adaptable to changing conditions. So as our environment and our clientele change, we will do our best to adapt to that,” Walker told HaltonHillsToday.
Her vision for the operation is to maintain what they do best, but also come up with new ways to address the speed at which food flies off the shelves.
“We get lots of food in and we're very grateful for that, but it goes fast,” Walker said.
“Let’s say we have 110 clients coming in a week. That's 110 units of ketchup or at minimum 110 units of pasta that needs to come in. It might look like a lot of food in that back warehouse, but once you divvy it up… that’s not going to last long."
Walker said she and her board will work to continue raising awareness about how quickly the shelves are emptied at the GBB.
“We are 100 per cent funded by the community - that’s why we constantly have to ask. Because if we don’t ask and make our presence known, then there won’t be food for the clients."
Walker started her time at the Bread Basket as a volunteer in 2018. From there, she rose through the ranks to become its food director. In that role, she said she got a “feel for what clients like and what moves and how things work.”
She has observed a change in special dietary needs over her time at the food bank. Clients are asking for more gluten-free, lactose-intolerance-friendly options, as well as halal choices.
She took over as chair of GBB in early October when her predecessor Rob Simpson left the position. The charity’s board held an election, where she was ultimately chosen for the role.
Anyone interested in donating can drop off food at the Bread Basket, located at 49B Mountainview Rd. They can also make donations in bins located at the Real Canadian Superstore, FreshCo, Food Basics, Walmart and the Georgetown Market Place.
There are still plenty of items available to purchase on the food bank's wishlist. Its website is updated often, so keep an eye out there for in-need items. Monetary donations can also be made online.
