Kerrobert and Luseland food banks provide for many

By Joan Janzen

The Kerrobert Food Bank and the Luseland Food Bank are busy looking after the needs of people in their respective communities. Anyone needing a food hamper can contact the six volunteers of the Kerrobert Food Bank and make an appointment for a pick up at the Kerrobert United Church on the second Tuesday of each month.

Volunteer, Carol Grosskopf said they have seven volunteers, most of whom are retired. Those needing food are asked to call the Monday before Tuesday pick up to make an appointment. The volunteers then use funds on hand to purchase eggs, bread and milk.

SUBMITTED PHOTO: Kerrobert School conducted a We Scare Away Hunger Drive.

“We cover Kerrobert, Dodsland, Plenty and Major,” Carol explained. As Christmas is on the horizon, the food bank will give out vouchers from the local grocery store.

The Kerrobert School recently did a We Scare Away Hunger drive. “I gave the school a list of things we needed, and the staff assigned a particular item to each class, which the students brought to school. It was well received,” Carol said. The Credit Union also did a draw, where names were entered into a draw if you brought a food item.

The community of Kerrobert has been very supportive, as many businesses and organizations have done food drives throughout the years. Much of the food collected goes to a group of people who have been working all their lives, but because of health issues, are unable to work and are too young to collect a pension.

The food bank only needs to voice their need, and an organization steps up to help. “We have a very supportive community,” Carol said. “It’s a big thing that we can use the United Church and not pay rent.

We have deep freezes and a room that is ours to use, and don’t pay rent or utilities,” she explained. “We’ll contact other food banks if we get a lot of something we can’t use.”

One of those nearby food banks is located in Luseland. Andy Finley is the newest member, who is joined by Marge Thrun, Victor Delhommeau, Marianne Delhommeau and Barb Klinger. The volunteers deliver a hamper to anyone requesting one on the 15th of each month. A lot of the people don’t drive, so the Luseland volunteers work it out, so they deliver to everybody.

Andy Finley coordinated a fundraiser on October 31 called the Frightening Food Frenzy campaign, where $4,100 in donations of food and money was raised with the help of young volunteers. Thanks to those efforts, the food bank is well stocked until Christmas.