The Sooke Food Bank is looking to connect one on one with the local community, withan open house on June 14.
The second-annual event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will feature tours of its revamped facility and free hot dogs, located downstairs in the Sooke Community Hall.
“We want to let people know what we’ve been up to,” said Kim Metzart, lead coordinator with the Sooke Food Bank, adding it’s a good way to meet the face of the community and vice-versa.
There’s more coming on June 15 for the Sooke Food Bank’s third-annual Garden Day, where the Sooke Garden Club comes down with pots, dirt, plants, and tips to anyone who is interested to learn about gardening and growing their own food.
Metzart said last year’s Garden Day was so successful that one of the food bank’s clients learned to grow her own food and managed to feed herself for months.
“We introduced her to gardening in May, we didn’t see her from the end of June until October, and she ate off her deck, it’s just amazing,” she said. “We’re really excited that our garden stuff is catching on.”
The food bank is also looking forward to the summer coming as it will open the doors to locals who donate garden produce right from their own gardens, or those participating in the Grow A Row program.
As far as stock goes, Metzart said things are stable, but donations are always welcome. If people want to give, Kraft Dinner, canned fruit, canned vegetables, and baking supplies are in high demand, while staples such as cereals are always in need.