Hard times for people in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows who are seeing the Friends in Need Food Bank running out of food.
The food bank is coming off its busiest month ever. Kim Boekhorst, executive director, said more than 1,000 different households are accessing the food bank now, where it was 516 just five years ago.
“More people than ever are turning to the food bank for support,” he said. “We’re seeing working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and individuals who never expected to need help now relying on our services to get through the month.”
In April the food bank recorded 3,009 visits, serving 1,001 households and 2,235 individuals – including 93 newly registered clients. This represents a 15 per cent increase in visits from the previous year, and the highest number of households served per week on record, highlighting the growing pressure faced by families, seniors, and individuals across the community.
At the same time, donations are down significantly, particularly in the fresh food program that has seen donations from grocery stores drop. The Perishable Food Recovery Program sees most local grocers in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows offer food that would otherwise go to waste.
Last month that program recovered 38,500 kilograms of food which was down 12 per cent from the month prior.
Rising grocery prices also have an impact on the food bank, as cash donations don’t buy as much as they used to. That said, Boekhorst noted the non-profit society is able to buy groceries at reduced prices.
“Local grocers are very supportive of us,” he said.
Despite increased efficiency and community support, the food bank is facing growing challenges. On May 1, the food bank ran out of produce, deli, and bread an hour before closing, which underlined the strain on resources.
“We are being asked to do more with less,” said Boekhorst. “Demand continues to rise, while food supply – particularly from grocery partners – is becoming less predictable.”
The non-profit needs to replace an aging refrigerated vehicle used daily, at an estimated cost of $100,000.
Without any stable funding from government at any level, the food bank relies on donations, grants where available, and community partnerships.
Boekhorst has made a presentation to a Rotary Club, and will be meeting with other service groups.
He said the food bank may be forced to scale back the amount each household gets.
“We need to take action,” he said.
The public can help by donating at food bank bins located at local grocery stores, and by rounding up their bill at the cashier, to give the organization cash.
“We cannot do this alone,” said Boekhorst. “It takes a community working together to ensure that no one is left behind.”