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Food bank serving 350 families each month Continued from page 1 3 · Thursday, March 22, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com need to stock up our warehouse and shelves so that we're going to be alright until the Thanksgiving food drive," said Clark. "It's to make sure we get through the summer months." "We're getting more and more food coming in on a week-to-week basis, which really helps because then we don't have to wait for the peaks and valleys of having food drives," he added. Clark attributes the weekly increase to Fareshare's now year-round donation bins inside local grocery stores. For several years, bins were only displayed to accept donations during food drives. "Now they've left them there and as a result, people do their weekly shopping and drop a bag in the bin," said Clark. "We're picking it up on a weekly basis, so that really helps to eliminate the peaks and valleys." As a result of a "very good" Christmas food drive, Fareshare isn't currently in dire need. However, that doesn't mean it won't require ongoing supplies, Clark said. "We really were able to stock up our warehouse. As a result we've been able to distribute the non-perishable foods and provide good quantities for our clients. We haven't had to start rationing and only giving one can where we prefer to give two," said Clark. "My concern isn't that great because we've got the food drive to replenish it, but I've got to think beyond the Easter food drive. What are we going to be doing each and every month thereafter?" Clark said it's hard to pinpoint one particular month that is tougher than others because the food bank could run out of an item at any time. "I've got to think beyond the Easter food drive. What are we going to be doing each and every month thereafter." Dudley Clark, Fareshare food bank, volunteer executive director Last year, Fareshare supplied 4,482 food orders -- up from 2010 when it handled 4,287 orders. Fareshare served an average of 374 clients a month in 2011 -- a 2.5 per cent increase from 2010. So far this year, it has averaged 351clients per month. While Clark is happy with the decrease, it is still early and he expects that number to fluctuate between now and October. "You need to come to the food bank, see the people who are sitting in the waiting room (and) see our ladies putting together the orders for them to really appreciate what we're trying to do," said Clark. Run entirely by volunteers, Fareshare is able to spend more money on food. It spent 22.4 cents of every dollar it received in 2011 on fixed expenses while 77.6 cents went towards food purchases. Fareshare will spend $25,000 this year to provide mothers with vouchers, redeemable at local grocery stores, to obtain items such as milk and eggs for their children. While all non-perishable donations are welcome, Fareshare particularly encourages cold cereals, instant coffee, soda crackers, canned meat, canned pasta, peanut butter, canned potatoes, canned salmon, side dishes of rice, pasta and potatoes, regular tea, canned pasta sauce, canned tomatoes, kids snacks, juice boxes, size five diapers and laundry powder. Cash donations also help as the food bank uses the money to buy items should it run low and to purchase fresh foods like milk, meat and produce. Donations can be dropped off at Fareshare at 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 6, between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday; at all Oakville fire stations; and, in all Oakville supermarkets where collection bins have been provided by Fareshare. For more information or to donate, call 905847-3988. Inside Opinion.............................................6 Travel..............................................20 Health.............................................21 Sports.............................................24 Classified........................................28 Full Delivery: Ashley Furniture, Pharma, Guardian, Freshco, Food Basics, Metro, Curry's Art Store, Gino's Pizza, M&M Meats, Linen Chest, Hardwood Giant Centre, Metroland West, Humber College, Bluestone Project, JYSK, 2001 Audio, The Bay, Terra Greenhouses, Pirthpal, Sobeys, Rabba Fine Foods, Maytag Partial Delivery: Bouclair, Walmart, Canadian Tire, Centennial Windows, Home Outfitters, No Frills, Pharma Save, Rogers, Staples, Shoppers Drug Mart, Fortinos, Sherwin Williams, Sears, Zellers, Superstore, Payless Shoes, Best Buy, Bank of Montreal, Future Shop, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Toys R Us For home delivery & customer service call (905) 845-9742 Mon., Tues. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Thu., and Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (open for calls only after 5 p.m.) Closed Sat. and Sun. New subscriptions call (905) 845-9742 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com OAKVILLE MINOR BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE (MEETING ROOM `C') Saturday, March 24, 2012 ­ 2:00pm-4:00pm Program offered for kids aged 4-17 10 games includes regular season and playoff games Limited dental & medical insurance Fun, safe and make new friends Come in to enjoy our Lunch Special Only Lunch Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11:30am-2:30pm Bistro Matisse $15.99 Night out for Dinner? Try our Dinner Special Only GLEN ABBEY RECREATION CENTRE REGISTRATION AT Dinner Hours: Monday to Saturday 5:30-Close $30.00 Have a Taste of French Cuisine 1710 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST · L5J 1J5 w w w. b i s t r o m a t i s s e. c a 905.822.2222 Lunch: Tuesday-Friday 11:30am to 2:30pm Dinner: 7 Days a Week 5:30pm to 10:00pm www.oakvilleminorballhockey.com or call 905-580-5794 For more information visit