Canadian Forces Base Shilo Base Supply partnered by Base Command teamed up to volunteer at Samaritan House Ministries Inc. Resource Centre and Food Bank, on Nov. 24.  Photo: supplied

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News

The Base Supply team from CFB Shilo stayed true to its name supplying its time to assemble more than 75 food hampers at Samaritan House Ministries Inc. Resource Centre and Food Bank, on Nov. 24.

“We put together [the] food baskets to help support families in need throughout the local area,” Master Warrant Officer Darlene Skinner said, adding that the volunteers of CAF staff and civillians were excited to join together and assist with “anything else that was needed at the Samaritan House.”

“We made sure all tasks were completed,” she said.

The Samaritan House Ministries Resource Centre offers several programs that provide food, training, care and teaching to clients.

According to its website The Samaritan House Ministries Food Bank is Manitoba’s second largest food bank, distributing between 60 to 80 food hampers per day.

“This number is steadily rising and Samaritan House Ministries is dedicated to providing healthy food for struggling individuals and families in our community,” the website states.

More than 20,000 food hampers were distributed last year by the local organization with 50 per cent of registered clients being children.

“We need more than 147,000 pounds of food each year to provide for our clients’ basic food needs. All of the food we distribute is generously donated by community, corporate and private donors.”

Items commonly needed are: soups and stews, pastas and sauces, whole grain cereal, canned goods such as meat vegetables, fish and beans, diapers, personal hygiene items, laundry detergent and dish soap.

Master Warrant Officer Skinner organized the eventful day stating when the Base Command team heard of the project, they jumped at the chance to offer their time and were joined by their spouses.

“The Base Commander and Base Regimental Sergeant Major heard we were putting something together and were more than willing to take some out of their schedules to support their unit,” she said. “Overall it was a great day.”

While the team was there to give freely of their time and assist the food bank organization, they came away with the gift of knowledge and a heightened awareness of increasing socio-economic needs in our surrounding community, the Master Warrant Officer said.

“A lot of knowledge and information was shared throughout the day creating it to be a fantastic learning and giving opportunity.”