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3 Friday, August 12, 2016 Brooklin Town Crier Community Food Bank Promotes Service By Barbara Howe Jonna Pedersen-Killeen with some of the food bank's canned goods photo by Barbara Howe The Brooklin United Church has decided it needs to promote its food bank service to the community. Jonna Pedersen-Killeen, the church's food bank coordinator and Christmas hamper chair, says that while the food bank is ten years old, the need has increased in the last two years. Last year's Christmas hamper drive, for instance, helped over 300 people of which seven or eight families were from Brooklin. "We have seen the need grow through the Christmas hamper drive in Whitby and Brooklin," says Pederson-Killeen. "And we know there are a lot of people who feel the need all year round." The Region of Durham Food in Durham website indicates that obtaining adequate nutritious food to put on the table can sometimes be hard for families. The Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health (OSNPPH) states 1.6 million Ontarians, about one in eight households, do not have enough money to buy food. The food bank, housed in a small room below the church on Cassels Road, is filled with pre-packed boxes of well-balanced food and supplies which are stored ready for anyone in need to collect. Over 2500 pounds of food has been collected so far this year. The food is donated by community groups such as The Brooklin Horticultural Society which raised over 1000 pounds through its recent garden tour. However, the service is not being utilized to its potential. "We have a lot of food to offer and we don't have a lot of traffic coming through using it," says Pedersen-Killeen. "We could do a great job all year round if people come and leverage the service. "There is a lot of hidden poverty in Brooklin," she adds, "and a lot of families are just trying to keep it together. We are really here to bridge that gap between a pay cheque and putting a roof over their heads." Durham Region's health department states that a nutritious food basket for a family of four increased in cost by 17% to $191.53 per week from May, 2011, to May, 2015. As food prices continue to rise, so, too, does the risk of food insecurity. The Brooklin United church also has other outreach programs to help families that may be in need. A monthly Family Fun Night is held on Friday evenings where pizza is served and families get a chance to network. Additionally, a goodwill offering lunch is held on Wednesdays starting in September. Pedersen-Killeen was keen to urge the community to spread the word about the food bank service. She explains the best way to get the word out. "Tell other people we have a food bank. Sometimes people don't know that (other) people are in a bind." Those interested in donating to the food bank can drop off grocery store gift cards or nutritional food items such as canned meat, canned vegetables or canned fruit to the parish office on Cassels Road. "We are here to bridge the gap in what- ever way we can," says Pedersen-Killeen. "Anyone who came would never be denied food." The food bank is open Wednesday mornings from 9.30 am to 12 noon, but after-hours arrangements can always be made by calling the church office at 905-655-4141 and leaving a message. The service is free and open to anyone in need. To find other food banks in Durham Region, contact Feed the Need in Durham 905-571- FTND (3363) or visit ftndurham.ca. Golf Tourney Supports Cancer Centre By Ryan Mitchell The Wolfpack Golf Tournament, which raises funds for the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, specifically the R.S McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, has sold out - again! Our goal is to beat last year's record of $30,239 raised for. It was an outstanding year which brought our total raised for this tourney to $110,501 in eight years, which is truly remarkable. We are reaching out to anyone who may be able to help support this event. Sponsorships start at $350 but we are also looking for prize donations and volunteers for the course that day (Sept. 10). If you know anyone who may be interested in supporting or volunteering, please let us know. This tournament is put on by the Wolfpack, a local men's baseball/hockey team. It started as a fundraiser for one of the team members whose mother lost her battle to cancer. It became such a successful event that it is now an annual tradition. In addition to the funds raised, there are now two rooms in the Cancer Care Centre dedicated to the event. The tournament is among the top three community contributors for Lakeridge Health. Now we have a web site which will help us manage the tournament: www.Wolfpack-GolfTourney.com On the site, you can: 1) Register and pay for golf entry (single, twosome or foursome) - Too late though. It's full. 2) Sponsor the event 3) Donate to the event There is also a built-in pledge area where you can help us raise money by getting pledges for your participation. The different sponsorship levels are also listed on the site. The tournament will again be held at the Columbus Golf Course followed by a dinner reception at Shoeless Joe's in Brooklin.