An increase in clients coupled with food flying off the shelves faster than it's coming in, has the Bonnyville food bank in a dire situation.
An increase in clients coupled with food flying off the shelves faster than it's coming in, has the Bonnyville food bank in a dire situation.
"Usually around this time there's always a downturn in the donations, but we've felt them more this year because there's been more clients coming in. There are a lot of people out of work and, of course, the economy is to blame for that," said Pauline Mawer, who oversees the food bank for the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre.
Mawer added, "I also believe that some of the donations are down because of the Fort McMurray evacuees. I know they need this as well and I don't want to say we've been forgotten, but hey, we're still here."
In March, the food bank had 165 people from 55 households walk through its doors, including 33 new clients. By April, the total had risen to 180 people and 69 households who relied on help from the food bank that month. There were 17 new clients in April, as well as two homeless couples.
So far in 2016, the highest number of clients came in January with 200.
"The numbers are higher (than last year)," said Mawer. "We can't keep up, we just can't keep up."
A hamper for a family of four or five usually includes four loaves of bread, a package of meat or two if there's fresh meat or canned meat, four cans of beans, canned vegetables, eight cans of soup, pasta sauce, cereal, condiments such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise, peanut butter and jam, coffee or tea, rice, a small bag of flour, sugar, cookies and crackers. Families with school-aged children also get juice boxes and peanut-free snacks for lunch bags.
One hamper will generally last a week for a family of four or five.
"I've had to give a lot less in the hampers lately then we have in the past. Our policy states that it's supposed to be for a three or four day emergency, but it's not like that," Mawer explained.
With consistently more people relying on the food bank, but less donations coming in, it's put them in a difficult situation. Not counting their most recent shopping trip last weekend, since January the staff at the food bank have spent more than $10,000 on food to stock the shelves.
"We spent more money buying groceries from January to March of this year then we did for the whole year in 2015," noted Mawer.
Thankfully, not just local organizations, but groups from other communities have answered their call for help.
The Holden 4-H Club held a roadside clean-up, donating all of the funds to the local food bank - enough to buy a van full of groceries and the Tofield meat packing plant donated 800-lbs of fresh meat. Here in Bonnyville, local groups have stepped up to the plate including the EMS who collected food at their open house.
"This community, when we have a call for help people respond and we do get a lot of help," expressed Mawer. "It's a very giving community and we're so thankful and grateful for that."
However, as much as they appreciate the help they have gotten to this point, Mawer said they need continuous support. With no government funding, the food bank relies solely on donations and even $1,600 worth of food doesn't go that far when you have close to 200 mouths to feed.
Following the evacuation from Fort McMurray, local residents donated truck-loads of items to assist the evacuees. While not wanting to take away from the evacuees, Mawer wants residents to know that they are in great need as well.
"I just want people to remember that we're still here and serving the community. It's great to give to a good cause, but please don't forget us."
The food bank is always looking for non-perishable food items, but Mawer is urging people to check the product isn't expired and hasn't been opened yet before donating. Monetary donations are also accepted to be used for the purchase of food.
To do what we can to help out the Bonnyville food bank, the Bonnyville Nouvelle is holding a subscription drive from now until June 15. Fifty per cent of each subscription will be donated to the food bank.
For more information, call 780-826-3876.
