Laurie O’Connor says in addition to having more people need hampers since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, they had to cancel one of their biggest fundraisers which is the City-Wide Food Drive.

The Executive Director of the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre says with physical distancing considerations in play they just didn’t feel it was appropriate to send 4 or 5 hundred volunteers into the community to interact with residents donating bags of food.

She also notes that even with the generous support of wholesalers they have gone from being able to provide food for hampers almost entirely from donations to having to purchase almost all their food which is very expensive.

They are still taking food donations as well but you can also now participate in a virtual food drive called CLICK & PICK-NIC. Go here to make an on-line food donation, which is quickly recognized with a thank you note and tax deductible receipt.