Food bank use rises as dollar continues to fall
Posted Jan 17, 2016 1:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A slumping dollar means a bigger grocery bill, as well as more people who need help putting food on their tables.
Shawna Ogston with the Calgary Food Bank told 660 NEWS, there has been a steady increase in the number of people turning to the organization for help in the past few months.
“In December, we had a 132 per cent increase compared to last year at this time, where our new clients were saying the reason they were coming in was because of layoffs,” she said. “I think the dollar being where it is, is a factor in all of the reasons why individuals are coming to the food bank.”
She added, as long as the economy stays the way it is, there will continue to be a high number of users, and a growing need for donations.
“We know that we’re still going to see families and individuals come to the food bank over the coming months if things are slow to recoup.”
The low dollar also impacts the quality of food being put into hampers. Along with canned goods, the food bank accepts cash donations, with every dollar donated allowing the organization to distribute $5 worth of food, making it easier to add items like meat and fresh produce to food baskets.
For more information, visit the Calgary Food Bank’s website.
