By: Chris Traber, Staff Writer

With a week to go, the York Region Food Network’s fall drive is only 15 per cent on target, executive director Joan Stonehocker said.

Hoping to collect 150,000 pounds of food by Oct. 17 for distribution to its eight member food banks, the autumn campaign reflects the current economic gloom.

“The drive has started slowly this year,” she said.

“I think things are getting tighter. People are worried and prices are higher. There’s need and people are worried about themselves.

“There’s an understandable discomfort with the economy and how things are going.”

In 2007, food banks fed 41,000 York Region men, women and children, Ms Stonehocker said.

Hunger never rests. Demand will grow, she said.

“I believe and hope people will get generous, especially on this, Thanksgiving weekend,” she said.

The food banks need donations of baby formula and food, peanut butter, canned fruit or vegetables, canned fish or meat, dried pasta and tomato sauce, powdered, canned or tetra pak milk, macaroni and cheese, bags of rice and bags of lentils.

“We can always use proteins, snacks for kid’s lunches, soups and hot and cold cereals,” Ms Stonehocker said.

Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any fire hall, participating grocery stores and food bank locations. Paper collection bags were donated and distributed this week through the York Region Media Group’s community newspapers.

Financial donations can be made at food banks as well.

Cheques can be made payable to the York Region Food Network. If you want your donation to service a particular community, indicate your preference on the cheque.

For food bank and collection locations, visit on line at www.yrfn.ca or call toll free, 1-866-454-9736.

You can donate non-perishable food or funds at food banks throughout York Region.

• Aurora Food Pantry    
15213 Yonge St, (one block south of Wellington Street)
Hours: Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
905-841-1577

• Georgina Food Pantry  
915 Lake Dr, Jackson’s Point, (one block west of Dalton Road)
Hours: Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
905-476-2814

• Markham Food Bank    
70 Main St N., Markham,
Hours: Tuesday 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Thursday 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., Saturday 9: a.m. - 11 a.m.
905-472-2437

• King Township Food Bank
Operating from three locations in the township. Service will be provided on the last Saturday of each month from 9 - 11 a.m.
St. Mary Magdelene Anglican Church, 116 Church St., Schomberg, 905-939-2314.
St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, 5750 King Rd, Nobleton, 905-859-0843.
All Saints Anglican  Church, 12935 Keele St, King City,  905-833-5432.

• Newmarket Food Pantry   
460 Botsford St., Newmarket,(old Town Hall rear entrance across from the Newmarket public library)
Hours: Monday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Wednesday 9 - 11 a.m., Friday 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.   
905-953-5132  

• Richmond Hill Community Food Bank    
55 Newkirk Ave, Richmond Hill, (north of Major Mackenzie Dr., east side)
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
905-508-4761

• Vaughan Food Bank    
71 Marycroft Ave, Unit 8, Woodbridge, (west of Weston Road and south of Hwy. 7)
Hours: Thursday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
905-851-2333

• Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank    
Churchill Baptist Church, 15336 9th Line North, RR3,Stoufville,  (north of Aurora Road)
Hours: Tuesday 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
905-640-4704