Ontarians have turned to food banks more than ever before, continuing a worrying trend coming out of the pandemic. In the last year, more than one million people have visited a food bank in Ontario, an increase of more than 25 percent from the previous year. It’s also the eighth year in a row that food bank use has gone up.
With the holiday season approaching, food banks in the greater Simcoe Country region will once again be feeling the squeeze. Increased demand for food assistance along with the anticipated spike in holiday users will result in challenges for food banks in keeping food on the shelves.
That’s the primary reason why the Bourgeois Auto Group has once again launched its annual food drive. And according to Dave Arnold, Director, Director of Marketing, the team at Bourgeois Auto Group is going all-in to ensure local food banks have everything they need to meet demand.
“The Bourgeois Group has done some form of holiday food or toy drive for many years,” said Arnold. “However, this is the first year where we’re combining the efforts of all three of our Midland locations to support our local food banks.”
From Monday November 18th through December 20th, the three dealerships will be accepting donations of non-perishable goods to help support both the Salvation Army and the Society of St. Vincent du Paul food bank efforts. As an incentive to donate, Bourgeois will also be offering food bank supporters with a complimentary car wash at either Bourgeois Motors Ford or Bourgeois Midland Nissan. Arnold said he hopes the added support from the entire Bourgeois group makes it more convenient for local donors to support the food drive with the most needed items.
“We know that there are a lot of families in need this year and that the food banks are in desperate need of donations to keep up,” said Arnold.
Some of the most in-demand products requested by food bank organizers include canned fruits and vegetables, canned meats like tuna and salmon, cereals, canned beans, canned soups and stews, pasta and pasta sauce. Also high on the priority list are things like baby formula, baby food or other non-perishable items and pantry staples.
“At the end of the day, every bit is appreciated and will go a long way to helping individuals and families in our community,” said Arnold.
You can drop off your donations at any of the three locations of the Bourgeois Auto Group including Bourgeois Midland Nissan at 760 Prospect Blvd (just off HWY 12), Bourgeois Midland Hyundai at 868 King Street, or at the Bourgeois Motors Ford store at
281 Cranston Cres. at the South East corner of HWY 12 and King street.
For more information, visit Bourgeois Auto Group online.
This article was sponsored by Bourgeois Auto Group, a 2024 MidlandToday Reader Favourite.