Sarnia's Inn of the Good Shepherd is hoping a lack of brown bags doesn't deter you from giving food donations before Thanksgiving.
Executive Director Myles Vanni said their brown bag order has been delayed due to supply chain issues.
"We're just going to call it a Fall Food Drive and stretch it out a bit longer," said Vanni. "But you don't have to wait until the bags hit the mail or [arrive at] your homes in early November. If you're in the giving spirit, we'd be grateful for any donations."
Vanni said there are several locations across Sarnia-Lambton to donate non-perishable food items.
"We try to make it easy. When you're doing your grocery shopping, you could put a few things in the barrel on your way out, the fire halls have barrels for us, as well as dropping things off at the Inn [on John Street] or the Good Shepherds Lodge on Confederation Street."
Vanni said the demand remains high.
"Certainly COVID is still impacting folks. Particularly, inflation is presenting a real challenge for families. The biggest issue we're dealing with though, from a COVID impact point of view, is donations haven't returned to what we normally would be receiving."
Vanni said that's why their food stock is so low.
"Typically, pre-COVID, we would spend $3,000 to $5,000 a month buying food, because the generosity of the community provided that food for us. Now, we're spending $25,000 to $30,000 a month, and in just the last two months it's been almost $50,000 [each month]."
Vanni said it's been tough trying to source and get the food in, but he added that they've had some generous donations from foundations and families to help purchase the groceries.
"We're now seeing up to 900 families a month. At our mobile market alone, we're seeing 1,000 people every week for those fresh, healthy vegetables. Eating healthy is not cheap. That's some of the most expensive stuff in the grocery store. Healthy food and cleaning and hygiene products are things that we're really looking for."
Vanni said cereal, canned meats, canned fruit, children's lunch items and side dishes are other needed items.
