Frozen vegetables and meats ‘would go a long way’ at COPE

Community Outreach Program Erie (COPE) is thankful for the many donations of non-perishable food items that have been collected for the local food bank in recent weeks.

But there is one other need that manager Lynne Rey said residents and businesses can play a role in, which is perishable items such as frozen vegetables and meats.

“That would go a long way to fill up our freezers and make sure people have something substantial to get them a holiday meal,” Rey told Fort Erie Radio on Thursday.

Hams, turkeys, and chicken would be ideal, she said, noting that clients don’t need to register to receive these items.

“We’re giving it out as it comes in,” said Rey.

This is the busiest time of year for COPE. In January, about 300 people were served, but this month, the food bank will support 500 individuals, she said.

There were 25 new families who came through the doors in November, which is “quite the jump” from the five to eight new families COPE has seen on a monthly basis for most of 2024.

As the weather gets colder, bills are getting higher, Rey said when asked what she attributes the increase in food bank usage to.

“And we continue to hear about rent prices going up,” she said. “It’s really hurting a lot of people.”

COPE is open until December 20 and will close until the new year. She hopes people making donations will do so no later by the end of next week.

Fort Erie Radio is hosting an online 50/50 raffle with proceeds going to COPE.

It launched earlier this week and as of Thursday afternoon, there was already a guaranteed payout of more than $1,500 to the winner.

The deadline to purchase tickets is 8:30 a.m. on December 20.

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