The Barrie Food Bank has surpassed expectations in its 2024 "Fill the Gap" Holiday Campaign, raising $1,134,985 in monetary contributions and 310,232 pounds of food donations. Originally aiming for $1 million and 300,000 pounds respectively, the campaign saw a 13% increase in financial donations and a 3% rise in food collections.
"The 'Fill the Gap' campaign was born from the urgent need to fight food insecurity in our community," said Karen Shuh, Executive Director of Barrie Food Bank. "This year, the gap was bridged by an outpouring of compassion and commitment from our supporters. We are incredibly grateful. Despite challenges like the Canada Post strike, our donors and supporters rallied to ensure no one in our community goes hungry."
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The impact of these donations has been profound, especially amidst a year marked by unprecedented demand for food assistance. Monthly figures show over 7,000 individuals accessing food support, double the numbers from two years ago. The Barrie Food Bank's initiatives, such as the Corner Store Emergency Pantry program and School Fuel program, have been critical in meeting this heightened need.
"We've not only met our goals but expanded our food distribution across nine key categories, including essential items like meat, milk, and eggs," Shuh highlighted. "This achievement means more than just numbers; it signifies lives touched and families relieved of the burden of food insecurity."
