WELLINGTON COUNTY — Local food banks were asked to comment on changes they’ve seen in recent months, and how its been affected by inflation.
Arthur
The Arthur food bank has seen an increase in use since spring.
Food bank secretary Marilyn Theurer estimates they’ve seen 15 additional clients since spring.
She credits the rising costs of food and gas as contributing factors, adding that a growing town may also be part of the cause.
Theurer said she’s noticed the impact these additional costs have had on working families particularly. She referenced a family that uses the food bank who can barely accommodate housing costs.
Theurer said several clients are encountering this issue.
“[They] have difficulty finding housing. Well, they can find housing, it’s just they can’t afford to pay for it,” she said.
Theurer added the food bank is keeping up with the increase in demand, “we’re busier,” Theurer observed.
Centre Wellington
Centre Wellington Food Bank managing director Fred Aleksandrowicz, estimates they’ve seen an increase in usage of about 20 per cent in the past year.
Aleksandrowicz added the increase is not from single people or seniors, but working families.
“I’m ashamed that people have to pay so much money for lodging and for food,” he said on rising costs.
“If you’re a working person, and you’re working at one of the businesses in town here… and if you have a mortgage or you’re paying high rent, how can you afford to buy anything extra? You can’t.”
They have no shortage of volunteers to keep up with demand though, and regularly receive donations.
“We’re making sure that people in the community are aware of what we do… and how people are treated with respect and dignity. And that’s reflected in the donations that come in here,” he said.
They also participate in food rescue, which contributes to their intake. That is when businesses donate their excess food to a food bank. Aleksandrowicz added in an Aug. 9 interview he’d brought in 6,000 pounds of food from the local Walmart that day.
Clifford
Clifford food bank officials estimate they’ve seen a few more clients in recent months, but are still a relatively small service.
“I think we’re up a bit,” said Clifford Food Bank chair Bruce Shannon.
Shannon has noticed this increase since spring.
Clifford Food Bank is feeling this demand in their stock.
“Our shelves are getting down,” said Shannon, adding donations are welcome.
Drayton
The Drayton Food Bank gave out about one hamper extra each week in the past few months, said food bank coordinator Bryan Timmerman.
The Hampers are filled and given to clients monthly, with the intention of it lasting at least 10 days to two weeks.
“It’s got to be from the cost of living,” Timmerman guessed of the reason for the increase.
He added that the shelves are emptying faster, but they have a decent working budget to stay on top of it, “and the community where we are, it’s amazing. They donate so much, like it never ends, it’s amazing,” he said.
Erin, Guelph/Eramosa
“We’ve definitely seen an increase of use,” stated East Wellington Community Services manager of food banks Stephanie Conway.
East Wellington has food banks in Erin and Rockwood.
When COVID-19 first hit there was a peak in usage that started to taper off in the fall.
Since January there has been an increase, said Conway.
She also has noticed a shift in clientele.
“It’s working families… with the cost of food and gas prices making it difficult to make ends meet.”
“With all the extra costs, especially with fuel, being in a… community [where] a lot of people are commuters, the extra expensive gas has really put an impact on households,” she said.
Conway added there’s a Ukrainian family using the food bank as well.
“That’s been rewarding since they’ve been so appreciative of our support,” she said.
The increase in use has but a strain on stock.
“It definitely did affect our supply.”
She added they had put a request out on social media to the community because the shelves were low.
“If we put something out, usually they’re very quick to react and support us,” Conway said.
Harriston
The Harriston Food Bank has not noticed a change.
“When Covid first hit, the numbers decreased,” said Food Bank coordinator Iris Richardson. Now the numbers have gone back to what they were pre-Covid, but have not increased past that. Richardson speculated it may have to do with the area they’re in, since other food banks have seen an increase.
Mount Forest
The Mount Forest Community Pantry has seen 10 new clients in the past six months, said co-chair Donna Leach.
The pantry services about 150 people on a monthly basis.
With this increase, Leach has noticed slightly more single adults using the pantry then in the past, five of the ten new clients. “I’m not sure why that is,” said Leach on the shift.
Despite the change, stock is good, “we have a very, very generous community here.
“At present time we’re meeting the needs of this community, I believe,” she added on keeping up with demand.
The pantry has a good core group that help but, “we could always use more volunteers.”
Palmerston
The Palmerston Food Bank is having a busier summer than usual, said board chair Barbara Burrows.
Typically, food bank use slows down in the summer months, but that hasn’t been the case this year.
“The cost of food is definitely a major concern right now,” and this, paired with high rent costs and fixed job salaries might be the reason for the increase, she said.
Burrows added that a family who are long-time users of the food bank have had to increase usage because of food costs.
“The food price increases have just blown her budget.
“And of course in our small town… rent is high. And if they are a single parent with fixed income, or on disability or pension … the increases in those particular areas are not keeping pace with inflation.”
Burrows said the food bank is able to accommodate this demand.
“We’ve always had very, very good community support, she said, adding, “if we do need extra, I think all we need to do is ask.”
