Help make this Thanksgiving special for everyone by supporting Niverville Helping Hands. Director Laurissa Sandulak says the organization has been operating at its current location for two years. “We're still on Main Street. It's a great space and we've been very happy there.” She explains that most clients are families with children. “We have about 65 families that come to visit us every time. We're open twice a month and so some of those families will change but generally we have 65 maybe close to the 70 some weeks that come to visit.” The food bank runs by appointment, either online or by phone. “But of course, we always do have somebody that is new or maybe they didn't know or they're a walk-in and so we just we fit them in as well,” she says. Sandulak notes that the number of families needing help continues to rise. “Just that shift continues to change from smaller families to larger families and families that have working parents that are just not able to stretch their budget in the ways that they used to be able to. It continues to grow, continues to surprise us and we continue to have food for them, which is amazing. So, it's a fun little miracle every time.” The next pickup day is October 9, and several food drives are planned to help stock the shelves this Thanksgiving. “We're having a community food drive that is put on by the community churches and the youth groups where the youth go door to door collecting donations as well.” On October 3, residents can leave nonperishable items in a reusable bag on their doorstep between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. for youth volunteers to collect. The annual Fall Food Drive, presented by Steinbach Toyota, takes place October 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Your Grocery People. “Come down on Tuesday when we're there in the parking lot. We'd love to meet you guys and say hi and say thank you.” Sandulak says the most needed items are everyday nonperishable foods. “We need snacks for the kids, for their lunches, for after school. We need things for breakfast, and we need things for dinner. And often quick meal type things are really sought after. So, things like sidekicks or beefaroni or supplies for making rice or pasta dishes with sauces or soups. Cold weather's coming up, so soup and cozy meals, beans and stew and that kind of thing.” She adds that garden produce is also welcome. “You can just reach out to us and schedule a time to drop off your produce. We don't have a ton of extra storage space, so if you could arrange that with us closer to our hamper dates, that would be the most helpful.” Niverville Helping Hands remains grateful for community support. “A lot of people don't realize that we have so many people that are needing help with their groceries, and we are just totally funded and supplied by residents and businesses in the community. And so anything that they can give is greatly, greatly appreciated.” Those unable to donate on October 3 or 7 can still help by leaving nonperishable food in the donation bin at Your Grocery People in Niverville or by sending an e-transfer to nivervillehelpinghands@gmail.com. “We can pick up supplies to fill in the gaps. And we're just really thankful and appreciate all the support that we continue to receive.” With files from Adi Loewen