Although the spring food drive was a success, the Red Deer Food Bank is concerned about whether it will be able to meet the increased demand for its services in the coming months.
The Latter-day Saint Citywide Food Drive Jesus Christ collected 9,450 kilograms of food last month, but typically 57 percent of the food donated throughout the year is not staples needed in the food basket, such as rice. It was an extra to make the meal more luxurious. , pasta, peanut butter, and cereal.
Executive Director Mitch Thomson said the food bank is very grateful to food drive volunteers and those who donate, but in the first nine months of the fiscal year, which runs from August to July, The bank said it has already spent more than the usual 12 years. It takes months to keep food banks open and buy food.
“We don't always like to convey doom and gloom messages, but these are very difficult times,” Thomson said.
“We appreciate everyone's every contribution. All we need is to be honest and upfront about where we are.”
The gap between cash donations and demand for food baskets is widening. During his first four months of 2023, a total of 3,934 baskets were given out and $304,241 in cash donated. In the same month of 2024, the number of baskets increased to 4,306, but donations decreased to $234,473.
“We are feeding twice as many people with less food than we were three years ago, so we continue to put money in our coffers to make purchases and try to help the huge numbers of people who are coming. I am.
“As a community we will get through this, but despite tremendous efforts by individuals, communities and businesses, the situation has not improved in recent years.”
The food bank's food budget is expected to be around $40,000 a month for the next few months.
“Anyone who can afford it will be able to buy strategically. Thanks to our buying power and our presence, we can help them stretch their purchases and get a little more value than the average consumer. can.”
Thomson said a new report from Statistics Canada shows 28 per cent of Albertans are food insecure, which is an eight per cent increase from last year.
He said it was rare for the government to fund operations, and given the cost of housing and the number of people visiting the area, more needs to be done.
Previously, about 33% of food bank users were children, but now that number is 40%, he added.