SUDBURY -- The Sudbury Food Bank recently received a large food donation from an international relief organization called Khalsa Aid Canada, which aims to provide humanitarian aid to those who are struggling.

The Sudbury chapter of Khalsa Aid Canada recently delivered more than 4,000 pounds of food valued at just more than $11,000.

Volunteers with the organization said they chose the food bank because they know people are struggling to put food on the table.

“We collaborated with the Sudbury Food Bank and we ended up doing donations to help the locals here with the food,” said Karanbir Badhesha, volunteer with Khalsa Aid Canada.

After 12 weeks of not being able to accept food due to the pandemic, Sudbury Food Bank’s Dan Xilon says the large donation could not have come at a better time.

“Food drives are extremely important to us because it gives us the opportunity to distribute the quality goods to these folks as soon as possible alleviate their hunger concerns,” Xilon said.

"It’s got good (expiry) dates on it and stuff like that, so it’s going to give us a little bit of time to get it out there to people who need it and it’s going to be appreciated.”

Xilon said once a good donation is received, all food has to go into isolation for 48 hours before it gets sorted.

“(It's) for protection of everyone involved, and the people we’re distributing it out to and stuff like that," he said. "It’s been an interesting growing pain."

Officials with the food bank said donations are always vital, especially during a pandemic.