Whistler's community food bank has survived an unprecedented early winter storm. Just last week, the food bank was in dire straits for the second time this fall, facing long line-ups at Wednesday night food distributions and desperate for donations. The food bank usually serves between 86 and 100 people a week. But Mary Caverly, co-ordinator of the food bank, says last week only 50 people showed up. "That's a big drop," she says. "We knew it was a crunch time the past few weeks because of all the young people arriving." With the mountains now open, most seasonal workers are now seeing regular paycheques. That should mean less people will depend upon the food bank. Still, the food bank is giving out donations as fast as they're coming in. Caverly says they're getting lots of donations and that the drop boxes at the IGA and Nester's need to be emptied twice a week. Garfinkel's continues to contribute $500 each week from funds raised at locals night on Thursdays. The Blackcomb Foundation also dropped off a $1,000 donation for the food bank. "What people are doing is incredible," says Caverly. Donations of non-perishable food items like pasta, peanut butter, rice and pasta sauce are always in need. Drop boxes are located on local buses, at Nesters Market and the Marketplace IGA.
