“whoever sows generously will also reap generously”
Living Hope Food Basket
515 Goderich St.
Ground floor
(Come in the North Entrance, Opposite BJs Video)
Port Elgin, Ontario
Tuesdays Noon to 3PM
Thursdays Noon to 3 PM
Living Hope Christian Centre Food Basket Annual Report 2014
This has been the fourth year that our Food Basket has existed. We are open two days a week. The
Salvation Army Food Bank is open the three other week days. Food is available 5 days per week in
Port Elgin people. We strive to respect people in need and we protect their privacy.
In the fall of 2010 the food basket was created to supplement the Salvation Army Food Bank.
Volunteers come forth to staff our Food Basket every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 3 PM. In
order to ensure the people we serve and our volunteers are well covered we endeavour to have two
volunteers on each shift. We advertise on bulletin boards, apartment buildings and stores in town and
people know about us. Our numbers have increased over last year.
Food Basket People Served
140
Number per Month
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Mar Jul Nov Mar Jul Nov Mar Jul Nov Mar Jul Nov
Jan May Sep Jan MaySep Jan May Sep Jan May Sep
The need has increased based on the numbers of people coming each month. Some people are repeat
customers. Word of mouth is our major outreach.
When we set up the Food Basket we decided that we would not question the people coming to us. We
wanted to reach out to the people in need and not screen out those who needed us most. We continue to
make home deliveries to those who have mobility issues or do not have a vehicle.
The people of Port Elgin have helped us greatly with their donations. Schools, churches, corporations
and individuals have all contributed to keep our shelves stocked. Whether it is the local grocer, local
farmers, schools or churches doing food drives or just people making donations we have been truly
blessed with many donations. Whenever our shelves started to empty a donation would come in to help
us out. We were truly blessed in November and December with food drives. Our shelves remained
full.
Of special mention are the Port Elgin Independent store and the Port Elgin Giant Tiger store which
donate their bread and bakery products which are past their best before date. The Food Basket receives
these products, freezes them and gives them out to people. People are informed of the age of the
products and if they choose to take them, they are welcome to them.
Total donations of $5,540 were received during the year. Total purchases were $4,062.00. By making
use of store promotions an additional $360 of goods were received for free.
Although we are a Food Basket, personal hygiene items are often donated and given out. We believe
that we should have the basics for the people who come to us. We also canvas local dentists for boxes
of their free samples of toothpaste.
We cooperate with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army Food Bank shares the bread and baked
goods received. We welcome people to make use of the products when they come in. We cover the
same need but in different ways. When you donate to either organization you are helping both.
A listing of the items purchased is included below (includes free items). To reach the people in need
we need your help. If you know of someone in need please refer them to us or if they are not mobile
please let us know and we can deliver to them.
For home delivery or for emergencies contact John at 519 832 9259.
We thank you for your help. We hope that we can count on your support in the future.
Our Shopping List
Although we receive incredible numbers of food donations from many sources, we also receive cash
donations. When we run short on something we use our cash donations to supplement the food
donations. In 2014 we spent $4062 dollars on the following items.
Spaghetti Sauce (cans)
Fish (canned tuna, salmon)
Pudding 2 packs
Alphagetti
Peanut Butter (kg)
Coffee (kg)
Sidekicks
Crackers
Cereal/Porridge (10 pack)
Veggies (canned)
Kraft Dinner
Toilet Paper (rolls)
232
585
144
259
114
19
390
41
37
314
296
102
God Bless you for your help in 2014.
John Van Berlo Coordinator Food Basket
Pastor Bob Cotie Living Hope Christian Centre
Meats (cans, chicken, turkey, ham)
Soup (canned)
Fruit (cans)
Sugar (kg)
Inst. Coffee (200g)
Mr. Noodles
Juice Boxes
Milk (L)
Margarine
Beans
Toothpaste
506
719
49
8
42
288
572
47
168
110
10