NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE FOOD BANK
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Barrie Food Bank is thrilled to announce the results of their 2024 Fill the Gap Holiday Campaign, which exceeded expectations, thanks to the incredible generosity of the community.
The campaign aimed to raise $1 million in financial donations and collect 300,000 pounds of food by Dec. 31. The final results surpassed these ambitious goals, with $1,134,985 in monetary contributions (plus 13 per cent) and 310,232 pounds of food donated (plus three per cent).
“The Fill the Gap campaign was born from the urgent need to fight food insecurity in our community,” said Karen Shuh, executive director of Barrie Food Bank. “This year, the gap was bridged by an outpouring of compassion and commitment from our supporters. We are incredibly grateful. Despite challenges like the Canada Post strike, our donors and supporters rallied to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.”
These donations made a significant impact during a year of unprecedented demand:
- Each month, over 7,000 individuals are accessing food assistance which is more than double over the past two years.
- Each month, over 400 first time users are turning to Barrie Food Bank for help making ends meet.
- Every week, we are supporting over 180 visits by unhoused or vulnerably housed persons with our Corner Store Emergency Pantry program.
- Every week, we send out hampers to 14 local social agency partners and to the 10 Little Pantry programs across the city.
- Every two weeks, our School Fuel program provides healthy snacks to over 7,100 children in 26 local schools, ensuring students have the nourishment they need to succeed.
With these resources, Barrie Food Bank not only met its goals but expanded food distribution. This includes increases in 9 key food categories—such as meat, milk, eggs, rice, and cereal. The organization was even able to stop rationing certain items, such as cutting dozen of eggs in half for singles and couples.
“These results are more than just numbers,” Shuh emphasized. “They represent thousands of lives touched and countless moments of relief for families facing food insecurity. Together, we’ve made a tangible difference in our community.”
Barrie Food Bank extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the campaign - whether through food drives, financial donations, volunteer efforts or messages of encouragement - making it a resounding success. Your efforts have ensured that families, children, and seniors in our community have the support they need well into 2025.
For more information about Barrie Food Bank or to continue supporting our work, please visit www.barriefoodbank.org.
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