Blandford-Blenheim Mayor Mark Peterson officially declared August 23, 2026, as Blandford-Blenheim Helping Hands Food Bank Day during the Township’s Council meeting on Wednesday, August 5.
The recognition comes after the community recently stepped up to help support the local food bank when Suzy Birley, who operates the organization, made a post to Facebook on Friday, July 31.
“Times are so hard for so many right now. We are currently helping ten families. We have consistently had eight to ten families throughout all 2026. Not always the same families but still just as many,” Birley wrote. “Very few times in the past ten years have we not been able to hand out food and a gift card once a month. Never before have we had such a need for so long of a stretch though. The gift cards are so helpful for families to buy a few perishable items that we don’t hand out.”
She continued, saying that with supplies running low, any money coming into the food bank would be used to buy items rather than gift cards for the time being.
“I am sad to report we are going to need to pivot to only handing out food starting in August. I have been needing to shop for groceries the past few weeks as we are so low on items, we don’t have enough left to keep up with gift cards for so many families. I have always fought this decision in the past because I know it is so helpful for families to be able to get some milk and bread etc.”
The next day, Birley made two other posts thanking the community for rallying behind the cause. As it turns out, residents quickly began contacting her about what they could donate and started sending various e-transfers for both items and gift cards.
“Everyone is so amazing,” she wrote. “Since my post last night the response has been incredible. With our community being so amazing we will have shelves stocked again very soon. Thanks so much to everyone!”
In a post to Facebook on August 2, it was announced that the Drumbo Lions Club was teaming up with the food bank for a community food drive on August 23, and that the organizations would be making their way around Drumbo at 1 p.m. to collect non-perishable food items.
During the Council meeting just a few days later, Peterson took a moment to speak about the food bank and the support of the community.
“The community has stepped forward amazingly, both financially and with food,” he said. “Bright is doing a food drive for the next two weeks, and Drumbo is going to be doing one on the 23rd in town. I’d like to get every community involved. It doesn’t have to be anything major, it could be as much as opening up a spot for a couple hours for food to be brought over, or you can canvass around town and drive around.”
Noting that it was Councillor Nancy Demarest who approached him about declaring August 23 as Blandford-Blenheim Helping Hands Food Bank Day, Peterson then made it official.
“I am pleased to recognize the outstanding work of the Blandford-Blenheim Helping Hands Food Bank and the incredible impact it’s had on individuals and families throughout our community. In recognition of their important work, I’m declaring Sunday, August 23, 2026, as a significant day for Blandford-Blenheim Helping Hands Food Bank,” he said. “I encourage all residents, business, and community organizations to join us in supporting the Blandford-Blenheim Helping Hands Food Bank through food donations, donating money, or volunteering their time. Every contribution helps make a meaningful difference for those facing food insecurity in our township.”
He then encouraged residents to follow Helping Hands Blandford-Blenheim Food Bank on Facebook for information about how to get involved in the coming weeks.
For those looking to contribute to the local food bank, some of the most needed items include, but are not limited to:
- Peanut butter and jam
- Cereal and instant oatmeal
- Granola bars, cookies and crackers
- Canned fruit, vegetables and chicken noodle soup
- Rice and spaghetti sauce
- Baking supplies
- Dish soap and laundry detergent
Donations can be dropped off at: Morrow’s of Drumbo, the Princeton Post Office, the Princeton Museum, the Bright Post Office and Plattsville Post Office.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
