What is a Food Bank?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
is a member of Feed Nova Scotia . A food bank solicits food
donations from the food industry locally that for one reason or
another are not marketable yet still edible. Food is donated in
various quantities and irregular times based on availability.
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
transports and stores the food, and distributes it to feed
hungry people.
Can the hungry get food at the Food Bank?
Yes. If you are in need of nutritional support click
here.
What's the difference between a food bank and a soup kitchen?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
provides three to five-day food packages to families that have a
place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed
to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve
walk-ins in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for
many of them. Most soup kitchens serve a full, balanced meal,
and some prepare and deliver meals to the homebound, as well.
How does the Food Bank get food?
Food distributed by
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
is donated; some of it comes from the community - individuals,
schools, businesses - all sharing what they have with those who
have less. Most food product, however, comes from the food
industry; mislabeled, overproduced, test market items and
products with short code dates are examples of foods which come
to
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
for distribution to the hungry.
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
regularly asks for these donations so that more people can be
fed.
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
also "salvages" products. The dented cans and crumpled boxes
that are pushed aside at the grocery can be cleaned and sorted
by volunteers to provide a an additional variety of food and
household products. We sometimes have to purchase food with
donated dollars as well.
Does the Food Bank purchase food?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
uses locally donated money to purchase needed items in large
quantities to help supplement our donated food inventory,
enabling the Food Bank to meet most of the food needs.
Does the food bank sell food?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
does not, and in fact cannot, sell the food which is donated to
us to feed hungry people, nor do we charge the final
recipients, hungry people, for this food.
What can you tell me about your operations?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
is an independent, non-profit corporation. A volunteer Board of
Directors governs the organization while a dedicated volunteer
staff looks after the transportation, receiving, sorting, and
distribution of donated food items. We are not a
government agency, and in fact, do not receive government money
for our day-to-day operations, although we do administer certain
government food programs, such as
Feed Nova Scotia.
Where is the Food Bank?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
is located in Kingston, Nova Scotia. Our address is 669 Main
Street, Kingston, NS. Our phone number is 902-765-0303.
Can we come and see how food banking works?
Yes! We encourage you to come! Seeing how the food is handled
will give you a much better idea of how your donations are being
used. Just give call to set up a tour and see for yourself how
food banking is helping to feed the hungry in your community!
Where do you get your funding?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
is
privately funded through a diversity of revenue sources,
including special fund raising events, individual donations, and
corporate and foundation grants.
Can a $10 donation make a difference?
Of course! Every donated dollar gives us the flexibility to fill
shortfalls in donated foodstuffs. For example, needy families
with children can be provided with fresh milk, baby food, meat
and eggs items which are usually in short supply.
How can I help?
Volunteer opportunities are available in the warehouse and
office, as well as for special events and projects. For more
information, visit our How To Help
page, or call the food bank at (902) 765-0303.
Why should we support the Regional Food Bank?
The Upper
Room Food Bank Association
serves an important mission feeding hungry people while
preventing food waste. It does so in a very efficient and cost
effective manner. Your help is needed because requests for
emergency food have been steadily increasing, especially among
the working poor. In fact, the working poor comprise the fastest
growing segment of people in need of food assistance. Your
donation to the Food Bank will go a long way toward alleviating
hunger in our community.
How does hunger affect people?
Although we do not see starvation in the Canada, hunger and
malnutrition still have significant consequences.
For more information, see our Links page.