The North Bay Food Bank was handed a cheque worth more than $11,000 on Wednesday as members of the North Bay Ribfest 2022 handed over the funds raised at the event that took place July 14 to 17 at the North Bay waterfront.
Organizers say more than 9,000 people passed through the gates for this new four-day event featuring ribs, music, vendors and a kid zone.
The proceeds came through a $20 entrance fee for visitors to attend the Ribfest event.
“We were very excited to receive this amount as it exceeds our projected donation of between $2,000-$4,000," said Debbie Marson, executive director of the North Bay Food Bank.
"We feel very fortunate when we get the opportunity to partner with an event like Ribfest, allowing us to talk to people in our community about what the Food Bank does, who we help and why their support is so important and beneficial to keeping our program going,” she added.
“We can’t thank Louise Lowe, Steve Bitonti, and their team enough for the community awareness, and this generous donation that will allow us to purchase items for our client’s hampers.
“Every week we are seeing new clients, more regular clients, and clients who haven’t needed our services in years. The high inflation rate, along with the increasing cost of food, gas and basic living needs is affecting those in our community more now than ever. This donation helps us help others.”
Marson also gave thanks to those who dropped off non-perishable food items and monetary donations at the gates.
The North Bay Food Bank is a local food bank, which is supported by the community. It is for those in our community with fixed addresses, who are struggling with food insecurity.
Marson says the Food Bank provides 3-5 days' worth of personal hygiene, pantry, non-perishables, vegetables, fruit, and dairy items for clients who have more month than they have money left.
For more information on how you can help the North Bay Food Bank, please contact Debbie Marson, Executive Director, North Bay Food Bank at 705-495-3290 or by email: [email protected]
