Oromocto and Fredericton food banks are teaming up for their Raise the Roof campaign to raise money for a district warehouse.

The food banks have been receiving food that's near the end of its shelf life from grocery stores. In order to keep that food edible for people, they need a place to store it.

We are now starting to become the recipients of fresh food," said Jane Buckley, executive director of the Oromocto Food Bank.

"We're starting to get things like that, so it's increasing our need to get more storage and especially refrigerated and freezer storage."

'I think that we need to be able to look at giving our families more nutritious foods, the kids especially.' - Jane Buckley

Buckley said that usually food banks are places where people can get non-perishable foods, but she wants to change that.

"I think that we need to be able to look at giving our families more nutritious foods, the kids especially," Buckley said.

A warehouse would mean the area could handle larger donations, and would be able to keep them longer.

It would also help the small rural food banks in the area, whose food depends on volunteers and their vehicles. A warehouse would mean they can pick up food at any time.

'Our expectations are high'

The campaign gets underway on May 2 and will run until May 7.

They'll be moving around to different grocery stores in Fredericton and Oromocto accepting money and food donations.

Buckley said she hopes the campaign will raise $400,000 for the warehouse.

"Our expectations are high, but we're well on our way," said Buckley.

Before the campaign even started, the food banks had $16,000.

Two people have offered to sleep on top of a transport truck all week in a tent to help raise the money.

Buckley said she doesn't just want to raise money for the warehouse. She also wants to raise awareness for the hungry in the area.

"We're hoping to raise all kinds of awareness for food banks and all kinds of money to go along with it," she said.