With the season of giving upon us, it is a crucial time for.
The food bank located in the basement of the United Churches of 91原创 building at 5673 200 St., is in dire need of high-protein items such as tuna, chili, canned chicken, and chickpeas, says manager Jaye Murray.
But the need at Sources has a far greater reach than that. Supplies are so low, in fact, it is looking as though Sources will not be able to do a special distribution of holiday items from its food bank in 91原创.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very low 鈥� extremely low,鈥� Murray said. 鈥淲e only have enough protein for two weeks, so you can鈥檛 make a complete meal for a person if you don鈥檛 have protein, because you should be covering the food groups.鈥�
Sources notes that people living on a low income do not have access to enough nutritious food to meet their health needs. The organization鈥檚 mandate is to provide recipients with enough fresh and nutritious food for two days per week; and at Christmastime, the goal is 鈥渢o do a little bit more.鈥�
Chickpeas are high in protein and are a staple in the diet of many of the Syrian families that have settled in 91原创 and are being helped by Sources.
鈥淓asily 15,鈥� Murray said, when asked how many Syrian families use Sources in 91原创. 鈥淎nd they are large families.鈥�
Sources serves 560 to 600 people every week at its 91原创 food bank and another 650 more at its White Rock/South Surrey food bank.
There are about 1,300 people registered with Sources 91原创 Food Bank 鈥渂ut not everybody comes every week,鈥� Murray said.
Sources 91原创, which has existed since 2014 and runs with only one paid staff member (Murray) and as many as 45 volunteers, relies 100 per cent on donations to serve its clients.
鈥淔ortunately, we鈥檙e the recognized member for (as well as ), so we have the partnerships with the grocery stores (including Save-on-Foods, Safeway, and Loblaws),鈥� Murray said.
To anyone thinking about donating, Murray says this: 鈥淲e have families coming here and they need our help. Our stocks are so low, that I鈥檓 just not sure that we can provide everything that they should be receiving.鈥�
This predicament greatly concerns Murray, who says there is a 鈥渉uge鈥� discrepancy in the amount of donations received in 91原创, compared to White Rock/South Surrey.
鈥淵ou feel guilty,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淓specially being the manager of White Rock as well. I can see what comes in, and what the clients in White Rock are receiving, compared to here.鈥�
People can donate food items on site at Sources 91原创 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monetary donations are accepted at Sources 91原创 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Donations can also be put into bins set up at grocery stores across the 91原创s.
Sources accepts non-perishable food items as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, which are stored in a cold room before being distributed to clients. Murray said fruits and vegetables such as apples and potatoes are ideal to donate.
