Food banks seeing spike in usage amid inflation concerns

Canada’s inflation rate is the highest it has been in more than 30 years, and there doesn’t appear to be any relief coming in the near future.

As a result, food banks around the province are feeling the impact as people bear the brunt of rising grocery prices.

Regina Food Bank CEO John Bailey says he has seen a significant uptick in people needing the food bank’s services.

“In terms of actual numbers, we’re actually up about nine per cent since January,” Bailey said. “We are doing 20, 30, 40 more hampers a day than we were just a few months ago.

“We are working hard to make sure we can meet the growing needs of the community.”

More people have been expressing the difficulty that inflationary pressures are having on their lives.

Bailey says he knows it’s getting difficult for some families to stomach the extra costs.

“We know that lots of folks have less money to spend on food,” he said.

Bailey also understands there might be fewer people able to support their local food banks as a result of rising costs.

Both the Regina and Saskatoon food banks are reliant on corporate and private donations.

“There’s going to be less money to be spent on support and charitable giving as well,” he said.

“We’re very cognizant of that. It’s something we’re definitely planning for. We know the needs of the folks who need our services are not going to go away anytime soon.”

Bailey says there have been multiple “big” jumps over the last few years, when food banks have had extra pressure put on them.

He adds the food bank saw its greatest usage at the beginning of 2021 before seeing the growth slow down temporarily.

Now, this latest surge is causing the food bank to appreciate the support it has been receiving from the community.

“We’re managing to make sure that we’re still in a position where we’re not turning people away,” Bailey said. “That’s really positive. That’s due in large part to the support of our community.

“It really is neighbours feeding neighbours.”

Bailey says the food bank is always accepting donations.