DRYDEN, ON – A combination of the rising cost of food, increased usage, and reduction in donations is putting stress on the Dryden Food Bank.
“Through the summer months, our usage of the food bank by our clients has steadily been increasing. Unfortunately, donation and financial support through the summer has dried up a little bit,” said Allen Huckabay, manager of the food bank.
“That meant that our shelves started to become empty and hamper sizes were becoming smaller. So we needed to put up notice to supporters just to let them know we were in need for some food for the shelves so we could give them to our clients.”
The rising cost of food and gasoline has trickled down to affect donations said Huckabay.
“Individuals' disposable incomes, where they used to be supporting the food bank in monetary donations or picking up some extra things at the store and putting them in donation bins for us, that’s kind of dwindled.”
Adding to the challenge is the increase in usage of the food bank. This August, 475 families accessed the food bank, compared to 371 last August – an increase of over 100 families from last year.
The food bank is looking for pasta, cereal, crackers, rice, canned chili, canned meat, and mashed potatoes or cash donations to purchase the items.
Huckabay said he's hopeful the call for help will be successful.
“Dryden and area have been very good at supporting they’ve always stepped up and helped out when we’re in need.”
The Dryden Food Bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Users need to call in advance to use the service.
