September is Hunger Action Month in Burlington, by proclamation of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, and the Hunger Action flag was raised yesterday at City Hall to honour this call to action that goes out to all residents.
Burlington Food Bank Executive Director Robin Bailey was on hand to help raise the flag with the mayor, as were other Feed Halton partners, including the Compassion Society and Food for Life.
Before the flag was raised, Meed Ward spoke about the importance of the Burlington Food Bank and its partners, especially in light of the growing numbers of Burlington residents who need their services due to the rising cost of living. She also noted that the Burlington Food Bank exemplifies the city motto, “Stand by,” in that they are standing by, “ready for action…ready for service.”
Bailey then spoke, thanking their partners and volunteers before stating that August had been the food bank’s busiest month — ever. He also put out an invitation to people in Burlington who are struggling to put food on the table to come to the food bank. “Quit struggling on your own…you won’t be taking anything away from other people,” citing a commonly-held refrain that keeps people in need from reaching out — people who have never used a food bank are sometimes concerned that there are others in greater need, and so they shouldn’t partake of the service. Not so, says Bailey. Anyone who is in need of food is welcome.
Bailey knows that there are many people in Burlington who are hungry but are not accessing the Burlington Food Bank’s services. Hence their partnering with other local organizations who help get food to people who need it, and the new warehouse announced earlier this year that will act as a hub for storing and delivering food to their partners. The aim is to help more people in Burlington and beyond, working to reduce hunger in Halton Region and, Bailey says, “trying to make it so the help is where people are in the community.”
And how can you help this September, Hunger Action Month, to ensure fellow community members don’t go hungry?
You can donate, of course, at burlingtonfoodbank.ca, or volunteer your time. You can hold a neighbourhood food drive or other fundraising event. And if you’ve ever used a food bank, talk about it: reducing the stigma and normalizing these conversations may help give those who are hungry but hesitant the little push they need to reach out to the food banks.
