NORTH BAY -- With a goal of 20,000 rolls, TP North Bay and the North Bay Food Bank have officially started collecting toilet paper this year.

The campaign launched on Wednesday, months later than it has in the past due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the late start, the goal remains the same this year.

"We're sticking at 20,000," said TP North Ba chair Ellen Faulkner. "Are we going to get that this year? We don't know. We've been at 20,000 a couple years now. We've been down to 11,000, 15,000, went up to 20 went up to 25. You don't know. So we just stick at 20 and if we go above that it's a bonus."

The campaign has gone virtual for 2020 to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and will wrap up on Oct. 31.

Make someone's life easier

"If you're doing the shopping and can afford it, by all means, pick up the extra bag of toilet paper," said Nipissing-Temiskaming MP Anthony Rota. "Bring it to the Food Bank and make someone's life a little more easier to cope with."

Rota said he has been supporting the campaign for years.

"It's one of those essential services that we all take for granted," he said. "And by mounting a campaign to provide toilet paper, everybody can capture a bit of dignity. It really helps people -- for those donating, it helps them appreciate the things in life, and for those receiving, it makes it all worthwhile."

Those looking to donate have a few options this year. Rolls can be dropped off at any food bank bin or at local grocery stores. Or bring the donation directly to the food bank and tell them it's part of the TP North Bay event.

Drop offs will be accepted at Allison the Bookman, Fire Station One on Princess Street, and The Davedi Club. E-transfers are accepted to both tpnorthbay1@gmail.com and northbayfoodbank.ca/donate

Officials at the food bank said the campaign allows them to focus on other essential items that people need. However, 20,000 rolls can go pretty quickly, especially with the goal to give two rolls per person.

Strong demand

In February, the last month before COVID, the food bank gave out 444 hampers.

"That would have been 880 rolls of toilet paper with just singles and one other in the household," said executive director Debbie Marson. "So if we look at those hampers being a family of seven, that's even more. So maybe 1,000 rolls a month. That's not going to go that far. That's only, you know, 20 months, 10 months, depending on how much we give out."

Throughout the pandemic, Marson said donations have been steady and the community really stepped up during a time of need.

"We are a top choice charity for a lot of people in this community," she said. "They're really stepping up to help us out when it comes to non-perishables, toiletries, personal hygiene and gift card and monetary donations. It has not stopped since the pandemic was announced and I don't foresee it stopping."

Officials at both organizations commented on the toilet paper situation that happened at the beginning of the pandemic when supplies were short across the city. However, Faulkner is hopeful those with extra rolls from that time might donate it now.

"When they started hoarding the toilet paper, all I could think of was 'when this comes to an end and we can start collection, I hope those hoarders bring back the toilet paper and donate it to TP North Bay!'"

The final donation is expected to be dropped off to the food bank on Nov. 2.