Food banks throughout the region are feeling the pinch on both ends.

The number of people signing up for assistance with the Sooke Food Bank has increased from one or two a month to six to 10 a week compared to when she started with the organization 10 years ago, said Kim Metzger, Sooke Food Bank president.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a very huge increase,B次元官网网址� she said.

The number of people making donations has dipped dramatically as well.

B次元官网网址淧eople who normally donate $100 a year a year are now coming in for assistance, B次元官网网址� Metzger said. B次元官网网址淭hat doubles the impact.B次元官网网址�

The problem is exacerbated even more by the fact that the cost of food continues to rise.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e so blessed in Sooke to be able to have Western Foods and Village Food Markets,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey have been fantastic, but their costs have also increased.B次元官网网址�

Another issue that adds to the list of issues impacting the Sooke Food Bank is a lack of adequate space.

Moving forward, the Sooke Community Hall, which serves many other purposes, including in times of emergency, no longer has the space required by the food bank.

B次元官网网址淎s the community grows, the food bank needs more space,B次元官网网址� Metzger said.

Metzger said the best way to assist is through cash donations because $3 worth of food can be purchased with every dollar donated to the food bank.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e only able to continue the work we do because we live in such a caring, giving community,B次元官网网址� she added.

The Sooke Food Bank at 2037 Shields Rd. is open for assistance and donations between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the first three Thursdays of the month.

The situation is similar at the Goldstream Food Bank in Langford, which serves the West Shore.

B次元官网网址淭he demand has grown by 50 per cent and donations are down significantly,B次元官网网址� said Goldstream Food Bank vice-president Walter Dubeau.

B次元官网网址淥ur cash donations are down by 30 per cent,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e hearing the same situations for all food banks throughout the province. These are very challenging times. One takeaway is that although the community is normally very generous, what we see is indicative of whatB次元官网网址檚 happening with the economy. When people have a hard time paying rent or putting gas in the car, itB次元官网网址檚 harder to make donations.B次元官网网址�

news@sookenewsmirror.com
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