The Lac La Ronge Food Bank is in dire need of volunteers. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

community support

Lac La Ronge Food Bank in dire need of volunteers

Sep 1, 2023 | 4:03 PM

The Lac La Ronge Food Bank is searching for volunteers who are dedicated, reliable and have a passion for helping those in need.

“The food bank has been in the tri-community for over 20 years, and we have always had a great team of dedicated volunteers that make this possible,” said chairperson Cheryl Norgaard.

“I estimate it takes 15 volunteers doing a variety of jobs, approximately 20 volunteer hours total, every week to make the delivery of 40 hampers possible.”

Since COVID-19, the non-profit has moved to a delivery method, which involves people who need a food hamper contacting the food bank on Mondays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Clients qualify for a hamper once every four weeks. Once volunteers have 40 requests, they stop taking calls because they can only handle 40 per week.

That may sound like a small number to some, but it takes a lot of volunteers and time to make that number possible. Each week, volunteers take inventory of the food and check what is needed, shop and order food, receive and shelf the orders, pack the hampers, prepare hampers for pick up by drivers, take phone calls every Monday, and keep track of requests on Messenger and the online form every Monday

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Volunteers also compile client lists and delivery maps for the drivers for Wednesdays, as well as meet the drivers and send the hampers out for delivery, and coordinate and contact delivery drivers to ensure they can deliver.

“There is a lot that needs to happen to make those 40 hampers possible each week, and we are doing it with a very dedicated, small group of volunteers that are getting burned out or looking to step down from their roles,” Norgaard said.

“In order for us to continue to serve our tri-community, we need people to join our team and eventually take the lead in some of these jobs. We cannot continue long term the way we are now, without more help.”

Those interested in volunteering can contact the food bank by emailing laclarongefoodbank@gmail.com with their name, contact phone number and a time when it works best to be contacted. The food bank has room on its board for 13 board members and right now they have eight.

“I want to thank all the volunteers for their dedication and work, and to the tri-community for the support we get,” Norgaard said. “Food banks rely on their communities in order to operate. I wish we didn’t need food banks, but sadly we do.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com