'Every little bit counts': Harvest Manitoba in need of volunteers, donations
Harvest Manitoba is feeling the need this holiday season due to the impact of inflation and the rising cost of food for Manitoba families.
The non-profit organization, which distributes to hundreds of food banks and agencies across the province, is looking for volunteers and donations.
According to Vince Barletta, president and CEO of Harvest Manitoba, the non-profit has seen a 40 per cent increase in food bank usage in Manitoba in the last year. He added there’s been a doubling in food bank usage since 2019.
Barletta said all types of people are being impacted by the cost of groceries and coming to food banks for help.
“Certainly, folks on a fixed income, people on government benefits, the unemployed, seniors, disabled individuals,” he said in an interview with CTV Morning Live on Tuesday.
“But we’re seeing some people that we haven’t seen in those same kind of numbers before, including people with jobs, people who are fully employed, who are now fully 25 per cent of food bank users here in Manitoba.”
Barletta said that Harvest Manitoba is looking for people to donate non-perishable food items, as well as volunteers.
“Here at Harvest, we need thousands of volunteer hours all throughout the year at Harvest Manitoba, and certainly during the holidays in particular, if you and your family can, consider making a donation to Harvest Manitoba,” he said.
Tracey Marshall, director of operations for Harvest Manitoba, said volunteers help with a number of different aspects of the organization, including hampers, deliveries and sorting.
She added that Harvest Manitoba is a “heartfelt” place for volunteers to work because it gives them the opportunity to help people and to give food to those in need.
“Volunteers come here every day. They come here with their heart and a big smile on their faces,” Marshall said.
“They’re here daily and they work for us, and help us and they support us.”
Another way for Manitobans to get involved with Harvest Manitoba is by taking part in a food drive, including the ‘Shutout Hunger’ food drive hosted by the Manitoba Moose.
Colleen McVarish, director of food and fundraising with Harvest Manitoba, said those attending the Dec. 30 Manitoba Moose game are asked to bring non-perishable food items to help put food in Harvest Manitoba’s hampers.
McVarish added that Red River Co-op is also starting its food drive on Dec. 8. Those going to one of the grocery stores can donate by putting a non-perishable item in the yellow Harvest Manitoba bin. She added these yellow bins can also be found at Sobeys and Real Canadian Superstores.
“Every little bit counts,” McVarish said.
Some of the items Harvest Manitoba needs most include protein, such as canned tuna, as well as canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, and soups.
- With files from CTV’s Ainsley McPhail.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.