Thanksgiving 2008 Appeal

Dear Supporter:

For this year’s Thanksgiving Drive we have set our sights on 90,000 pounds of food and $60,000.  We are counting on your help to meet these goals.

If you are a regular supporter or you have already made a donation, this letter is for your information only.  We gratefully acknowledge your generosity.

Just imagine, the Barrie Food Bank is celebrating twenty-four years of serving our community this year.  What a wonderful tribute this is to our supporters and our volunteers.

Did you know that the Barrie Food Bank is currently providing emergency food services to more than 20,000 individuals and family members annually?  Included in this number are 8000 children.  Another alarming reality is that 60% of the families we assist have a single mom as their sole provider.

This past summer I met a couple outside of the Barrie Food Bank who were embarrassed to come in and ask for help.  Upon my invitation, this mother and father of three children came into my office to explain their situation.  They had recently experienced a business failure of a franchise that they owned and they had not yet found new employment.  They had managed to settle their business debts but they were two months behind on their mortgage for their family home.  This was a couple who I knew would be willing to work hard in their recovery and just needed a boost in their efforts.  Some partners of the food bank teamed up with us to bring their mortgage up to date, and I coached them on finding employment.  In their own words they said “the Barrie Food Bank became like family to us in providing the encouragement and practical support we needed to put us back on our feet.”  “They brought hope and sunshine into a very bleak situation.” 

On behalf of this family, and so many others like them, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your faithful partnership in our work of love.

Gratefully Yours,

Dennis Willer
Executive Director

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