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13 | Friday, D e c e m b e r 2 , 2 0 1 6 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | w w w .insideH A LT O N .com Stocking the shelves a t Fare Share for Christmas by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff With the holidays close at hand, organizers of Oakville' s Fare Share food bank hope it won't just be stockings, but its own shelves, that are filled at Christmas. "The Oakville community, whether it' s private citizens or businesses, schools or churches have always supported this food bank, which is totally, and has always been, volunteer-run," said Nancy Bromberg, Fare Share volunteer president. "W e're counting on the generosity of those people to help us out again." This year' s Christmas food drive kicks off Saturday (Dec. 3) and runs through to Dec. 21. The local food bank is in particular need of Chunky soup, instant coffee, size No. 6 diapers, baby formula and cans of salmon and fruit. For a list of most-needed items, visit www. oakvillefoodbank.com/needed-items. Donations can be dropped off at collection bins found at all Oakville Fire stations and local grocery stores, as well as at the 1240 Speers Rd., Unit 6, food bank, which is open to its clients Mondays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Thursdays, 3 -7 p.m. Monetary donations are also accepted, as they are vital to the food bank' s existence, according to Fare Share. Donations are used to buy perishable food Fare Share Food Bank volunteer Sally McFadyen sorts two of the much in demand food items - canned salmon and Chunky soups - on shelves that need replenishing at the Speers Road food bank where its Christmas Food Drive begins Dec. 3 and continues through Dec. 21). | Graham Paine/Metroland items, such as chicken, ground beef, ham, fish, cheese and fresh and frozen vegetables and fruit. As well, a large portion of the money pays for vouchers provided to families with children to use at local supermarkets for items such as milk and eggs. The donations collected from the Christmas food drive is expected to last until the start of fall 2017, according to Bromberg. "We're stocking our shelves to last us through to next September. While there is a food drive in Easter, it' s traditionally not one that gathers a lot of groceries," she said. "So, this Christmas food drive, we count on this food to last u s ...." Bromberg noted the local food bank is anticipating the number of people and families it assists to increase in 2017 as the yearsponsorship support of Syrian refugee families begins to expire. "We hope to have a supply of food going into 2017, so that when families and individuals approach us, we can help them out," she told the Oakville Beaver. Fare Share serves an average of 350 families (between 1,200-1,300 people) per month. Fare Share also helps drop-ins who always receive an emergency order of supplies, according to Bromberg; the food bank averages between 15-20 cases per month. If an individual or family returns for help, and they live in Oakville, they are asked to register as clients; if they are from out of town, Fare Share suggests a food bank in their area they can visit. All clients are initially interviewed to ensure they qualify and then regularly afterward to determine if their circumstances have changed. For more information, visit www. oakvillefoodbank.com. H o lid a y Fun JOIN US FOR FESTIVE HOLIDAY FUN Watch Movies w ith Santa! Enjoy face paintings, digital caricatures and more! S a tu rd a y D e c e m b e r 1 0 9 :3 0 A M & S a tu rd a y - 1:30 P M 17 b e tw e e n S u n d a y b e tw e e n D e c e m b e r 11 1 2 :3 0 - 4 :3 0 C o u rt PM a t C e n tre South Oakville Centre 0 SOUTHOAKVILLECENTRE.COM |1515 R EB E C C A STREET OAKVILLE, ON