Demand is increasing for the Salvation Army’s Food bank in Kenora.
As a result, starting September 1st, food pick-ups will be going down to just once a month, from two a month.
Sandra Poole is the Community Services Director and says summer is traditionally a quiet time for them, but not this year.
“The demand has increased massively over the past 12 months,” explains Poole.
“We did some number crunching yesterday. From May 1st to July 31st this year and last year, quite a lot of change. Visits are up 25 percent. Client numbers are up 60 percent.”
Poole says much of the demand is from people living in the community.
“Most of our new sign-ups are deemed as the ‘working poor’. Those that do have jobs but just are struggling to make ends meet because rents are so high…salaries aren’t enough. You know, cost of living is so high for everybody. Everybody is struggling.”
Poole adds that they have cut off any new applications, at least for now, until they can determine what the need is.
(File photo)
