The summer and fall tend to be slower months for donations for the Cambridge Food Bank.
Knowing this, the organization is starting a new online auction which they hope will help raise their goal of $26,000 to help keep fresh produce and fruit in their mobile markets.
Starting Sept. 6, the community can go online to bid on a range of items such as golf packages and holiday centre piece workshops for groups.
More items will be announced for bid in the auction early August.
The Cambridge Food Bank's website and social media channels will have all the updates for items during the auction," says Sarah Tooze, the food bank's donor development manager.
The entire online auction closes for bidding Sept. 16.
Everyone is welcome to bid to help support the Cambridge Food Bank and their goal of raising money.
"During summer months and early fall we see a huge decline in donations. We want to have an annual event to keep our shelves stocked through the summer months," Tooze adds.
All proceeds from the auction will go towards their mobile market which has grown in popularity since it started a year ago.
The mobile market brings fresh fruit and vegetables to nine different neighbourhoods in Cambridge and North Dumfries.
It was born out of the necessity of having to social distance during the pandemic and the food bank still needing to feed people, Tooze says.
"We have folks that come every week."
You don't necessarily need to be experiencing food insecurity. Anyone is welcome to come, says Tooze.
A minimum fee of $5 is required or they have an option for the wholesale price. Another option is the pay-it-forward price of $15, that goes to help people who can't afford the inital $5 fee.
"There has definitely been a significant uptick in people opting for the wholesale and pay it forward amounts," Tooze says.
The Cambridge Food Bank is currently looking for more auction items to be donated from the community and local businesses, up until early August, for their new online auction.
With summer and fall being slower months for donations they are looking to make this an annual event to raise funds to keep the mobile market stocked.
Tooze says the foods most in need at the food bank are cereal, canned fruit, canned meat and fish as well as school snacks.
Any cash donations enable them to purchase what they need.
