Postal workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., will be collecting food for the Regional Food Distribution Association of Thunder Bay this weekend. Here's how the Posties Food Drive works and what kind of donations are most in need.Volker Kromm, executive director of the Regional Food Distribution Association of Thunder Bay , says the organization is trying to stock up on staple items that can be used to prepare simple meals, especially for when children are out of school for the summer.
"We're looking forward to getting a lot of food back. Although the shelves aren't empty, we are really missing a lot of the basic necessities that come in through the random donations that come from the people here in Thunder Bay," Kromm said.While people often associate food drives with holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, Kromm said there's a need for extra donations over the summer months when students are out of school.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Posties Food Drive would bring in about nine tonnes of food, Kromm said. Alexandra Grzelewski, the RFDA's horticulturist and community engagement co-ordinator, says the organization's community gardens play an important role in the city in educating people about where food comes from.
"I think it's very important to have food literacy and for people to understand our food systems," she said.