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May 23, 2024 – 6am
The Kamloops Food Bank is planning to cut back on its supply of fresh produce to clients next month, leaving some regular customers disappointed and anxious.
The changes to resources provided through the food bank were posted on the website nearly a week ago, but no explanation was provided. Starting June 1, patrons' access to fresh foods such as produce, bread, meat and dairy products will be reduced from once a week to twice a calendar month.
Dee Poole lives on disability benefits and has relied on the Kamloops Food Bank for several years.
“I support myself through food banks because I can't afford to buy food, and I rely on government assistance so I barely have anything left after paying my bills,” she says. “I usually bring lots of vegetables, fruit and toiletries, and use meat when it's not too far past its expiration date.”
Mr Poole is concerned that his health will be affected by the reduction in supplies.
“Now this is happening and I don't know what to do,” she said. “This is going to be so hard. I'm scared of what's going to happen to me and I was disappointed when I heard about these changes.”
About 3,800 people access the Kamloops food bank each year, according to the organization's most recent annual report. It's not clear how fast those numbers are growing.
The Kamloops Food Bank did not respond to a request for comment by time of publication.
The number of people using the Central Okanagan Food Bank continues to grow, but so far the organization has been able to keep up.
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Communications coordinator Rayanne Gurza said there has been a significant increase in food bank users in Kelowna and West Kelowna since the pandemic.
“There's a lot that people across the country are having to endure: unemployment, rising interest rates, rising costs of living,” Gulza said. “With no respite, the numbers continue to grow.”
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The food bank hasn't had to change its programs yet, she said.
“We have a strong food rescue program that takes away perishables from retail stores that provide 60 percent of our perishables,” she said.
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Food Banks of Canada's 2024 Poverty Report Card, released May 22, revealed that poverty is on the rise across the country.
“Canada has reached a critical tipping point as poverty and food insecurity worsen across the country, but despite the scale of the crisis, most governments are not responding with the urgency needed,” the report states.
The report found that one in four Canadians experience food insecurity, with the general population struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
“While deeply concerning, this result is sadly not surprising for thousands of food banks across the country, which have seen a 50 per cent increase in visitor numbers since 2021.” Canada CEO Kerstin Beardsley said in a media release. The Poverty Report Card makes clear that sustained and collective efforts by all governments are our best hope for real and lasting change. ”
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Poole worries that the reduced supply from the Kamloops Food Bank may just be the tip of the iceberg for other food resources available to her in the city.
“I try to get free meals at the Mustard Seed and The Loop, and I don't take more than I need,” she said.
“People should have access to food. Hopefully the same thing doesn't happen with other food resources, but I'm worried it will.”
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News source: © iNFOnews, 2024
