Food donations to the Red Deer Food Bank have dramatically decreased as central Albertans wrestle with the rising cost of living and must focus on putting food on their own tables.
“Our shelves haven’t been this bare in a long, long time,” said executive director Mitch Thomson, who noted the food bank is even running low on pasta, a basic staple low-income families rely on to stretch a meal.
“There is a lot of need out there, and food prices being as high as they are, is contributing to a reduced amount of giving here at the society.”
At the same time, demand for the service continues to increase, he said.
“We didn’t see the decline in need like we would in some of the softer months of the year. It’s just gotten tougher since Christmas.”
Growing inflationary pressures mean more people need help, including those who have jobs, he said.
“Alberta has the highest percentage of employed people who still require support. That number is considerably larger than any other province. It’s really relevant here in Red Deer. There’s just a lot of people who are working who don’t quite make ends meet.”
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He said 200 to 400 people a day visit the food bank’s pantry to pick up a few extra supplies, and this year the food hamper program expects to serve over 60,000 based on the growing clientele, which includes people outside of the city.
The food bank assists with supplies to 18 regional food banks and several organizations that assist people in central Alberta.
Ukrainian families, who fled to Canada after Russia invaded their country, are also a new and growing population that the food bank is assisting, he said.
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To increase donations, the food bank will have a bin at Red Deer Public Market every Saturday from now until the fall and will host food drives at grocery stores in August.
Montana’s BBQ & Bar on August 6, and Parkland Garden Centre on August 20, will also collect donations at their events.
Thomson said many central Albertans are feeling squeezed financially, but those who do have the ability to donate to the food bank are encouraged to do so now.
“We’ve just been really, really heavily needed continuously. It’s definitely a rough time for people.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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