Food Banks of Saskatchewan has launched a fundraising campaign to help people in need over the next six months.

The Food Banks of Saskatchewan Crisis Response fund was announced on Thursday.

The campaign was started to raise money for the 32 food banks that belong to the provincial association of food banks.

“We’re looking to raise around $6M to prepare us to be able to purchase the food that we need,” Laurie O’Connor, executive director of the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre said. “Many food banks across the province will see increased usage. We anticipate that the economic impact of COVID-19 will see thousands of people visiting us who never imagined they would be forced to rely on a food bank to survive. We’ve seen food donations drop. I think that’s the case with many food banks across the province.”

Donations can be made to the new fund on the Food Banks of Saskatchewan website.

“I think we should be coming together as a community and really supporting each other,” O’Connor said. “I definitely think that is important. We’re so grateful for the support we have received from the community already. Folks have reached out and are really looking to support vulnerable folks. That is just amazing and we’re truly grateful. If there is one thing I have learned in my time at the food bank, it is that the generous spirit of the people of Saskatchewan is never more apparent than when the chips are down.”

(Photo courtesy of the Lac La Ronge Food Bank Facebook page.)