Local businesses accepting donations for Sioux Lookout Food Bank during the holiday season

Tim Brody - Editor

With requests for food on the rise, local businesses are accepting donations in support of the Sioux Lookout Food Bank.
From Dec. 1 to Dec. 8 at the Red Brick Café, customers who bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank will receive a free coffee.
Red Brick Café Owner/Manager Alexa Seamark reached out to the Food Bank to see how her business could help during the holiday season. 
“I know that food donations are appreciated all year round, but I know that especially at Christmas they’re needed. So, I thought it would be kind of fun if people were to bring in a food donation in exchange for a coffee,” she shared, adding, “It’s something that I know is needed in Sioux Lookout. Everyone is struggling right now, and food prices are rising.” 
Sioux Lookout Food Bank Manager Amanada Landgraff noted, “Some of the things we need most right now are canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, and box meal kits (like Hamburger Helper or Kraft Dinner).
From Nov. 20 – Dec. 15, Fresh Market Foods, who regularly support the Food Bank, will be accepting monetary donations of $2 (or more) for the Food Bank.
Those who make a donation are being recognized by having their name displayed in the store as a supporter of the Food Bank. 
Fresh Market Foods General Manager Jackie Toms said the store is happy to provide extra support during the holiday season.
Hub Collective Roast Master Jesse Hochstetler shared that, starting on Dec. 1 and running throughout the month, customers at The Hub Collective will be able to make a monetary donation in support of the Food Bank when making purchases there as well. 
Sioux Lookout Food Bank Board Chair Merle Burkholder said of the support of the businesses and the community, “We are very, very grateful. We’ve seen a significant increase in requests for food in the last six weeks and so we’re very grateful for the support from the community.”
Landgraff concluded, “I’m really encouraged by the support of so many in our community. Alexa from the Red Brick contacted me a few weeks ago to share her idea about doing a food drive for the food bank. Recently, the number of requests we receive for food hampers has doubled, so the extra food collected through the Red Brick’s food drive will be used to help us restock our shelves. December is a month that many think of giving, because of Christmas, so what a great month for Fresh Market Foods and the Hub Collective to ask their customers if they want to make a donation to the food bank. I’m SO thankful for the support from the Red Brick, Fresh Market and the Hub, as well as everyone from the community who will give at these locations over the coming weeks.”
Anyone in need of a food hamper can contact the Sioux Lookout Food bank by calling or texting 807-738-6896 or sending a message to the Sioux Lookout Food Bank through Facebook Messenger.