Woodstock food bank launches delivery program

A New Brunswick food bank has found a way to overcome one of the biggest obstacles poor people face.

Sandra Olmstead, executive director of the Valley Food Bank in Woodstock, says transportation was a huge challenge for clients, many of whom live in rural areas and had no choice but to hire a taxi to pick up their food boxes every month.

"I know that some taxis would cost $30 for a trip to the food bank, which to me just doesn't seem right," Olmstead told Information Morning Fredericton.

"The money they're saving by coming to the food bank is going to transportation when it should be going into something more important such as maybe paying a hydro bill so their hydro doesn't get cut off."

Students identify 'hunger gaps'

The outreach program was introduced after a group of graduate students from St. Thomas University interviewed clients of the food bank who live in rural parts of the region that Olmstead said had been identified as "food deserts."

"We've taken that and put it into a monthly service where we go to these areas that have many clients that have transportation needs, and we take their food to them," she said.,

The food bank makes deliveries in the Hartland, Florenceville-Bristol, Nackawic, Millville and Juniper areas.

"But if there's people on the way there or a little bit past there that are identified, as well as a place where people are needing help, then we can add that on to the route," Olmstead said.

The deliveries are made to common areas, such as churches or community centres, agreed on with the clients.

Olmstead points out that food banks are now interlaced with so many other services that any assistance people can offer at this time of the year is a big help.

"This time of year is especially difficult for us ... we do more than just serve food."

Olmstead has been on a few delivery runs and said it's great to see how grateful people are for the help.

"It's so nice seeing the thankful faces, when you go to them. It allows them to have cash for pressing needs."

In November, the Valley Food Bank served 415 people and delivered $3,700 worth of food.

Olmstead said the clients increasingly include retired people whose pensions aren't enough to cover their basic needs.