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What’s in a Food Bank Hamper?

Director of the Golden Food Bank, Barb Davies, shares about what goes into a hamper from the facility.

Barb Davies

Director, Golden Food Bank

Have you ever wondered what’s in a Food Bank Hamper?

One of the objectives of the Golden Food Bank is to continually strive to improve the nutritional value of the Food Bank Hampers. The more nutrient dense our food is the more energy we have and our immune system is stronger. Providing nutrient dense food in the Food Bank Hampers also provides opportunity to educate individuals on the value of eating healthy. The Golden Food Bank purchases selected nutrient dense food items for Food Bank Hampers with money received from the generosity of our community and from other funding sources.

The Golden Food Bank gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Columbia Basin Trust that enabled us to include protein and dairy items in food hampers from June 2011 to January 2012. Ground beef, tuna, eggs, yogurt and peanut butter are purchased weekly and are included in the monthly food hampers.

In the winter when local produce is scarce, we are grateful for funding from the Town of Golden Grant in Aid and United Way that enable us to purchase fresh produce. During this time, monthly food hampers may contain onions, potatoes, oranges, apples, cauliflower and/or broccoli. Thankfully in the summer and fall we receive generous an abundance of fresh food from our community through the Plant a Row, Grow a Row program we offer. The Golden Food Bank also grows and harvests our own produce for Food Bank Hampers at The Ruth Wixon Memorial Garden thanks to the support of the Town of Golden.

The rest of the items in a Food Bank Hamper vary depending on donations received. These items are often non-perishable and include canned beans, canned vegetables, canned fish, canned soup, oats, rice, pasta, cereals, crackers, cookies and condiments. When donating food to the Golden Food Bank please keep nutrition in mind. We are often in need of healthy snack items including nuts, seeds, dried fruits and applesauce, as well as healthy cereal and 100 percent fruit juices.

As well, we accept donations of fresh produce. This could be a bag of apples, oranges, potatoes, onions or carrots - items that do not bruise easily and stay fresh for longer periods of time.

Keeping freshness in mind and due to limited storage, we ask that produce donations be made directly to the Golden Food Bank, 1115 9th Street South, Tuesday mornings between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for use in hampers getting picked up Wednesday mornings. Other food donations can be made on Mondays 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., Tuesdays 9:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. or Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. OR, food can be dropped in the bins available at Overwaitea or Sobeys at your convenience.

We are grateful for the tremendous support the Golden Food Bank receives from our community. Without the generous donations of individuals, businesses and organizations in Golden we would not be able to support our neighbours in need. We are also grateful to the granting agencies that support the work we do including the Columbia Basin Trust, the Town of Golden, BC Gaming, United Way, the Legion, Columbia Shuswap Regional District and BC Hydrecs.