By Jeff Labine

Food bank usage increases over summer months

Jul 19, 2017 | 5:00 PM

Despite what some might believe, the busiest time for the Prince Albert Food Bank is during the summer.

“There’s a few different factors involved with that,” Wes Clark, executive director of the food bank, said. “Those who are able are gone out of the city. I’m no different than anyone else – if I get a chance I’m off to the lakes. So people who are donating food, many of them, are not even around. We still get donations and we’re always thankful for what we get.”

Another factor that makes the summer busier than the winter is the fact Prince Albert is the Gateway to the North. Clark said it’s common for a family which was able to do fine throughout the year to show up because members found themselves in need. Those families generally need a little help to get through one or two months.

Children being out of school also plays into the food bank’s demand. Clark said Prince Albert has a lot of child programs in place to help feed children but those are only good for certain parts of the year.

“It puts a lot of pressure on families,” he said. “When the schools are gone, what happens?”

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The busiest time of the year hasn’t even arrived yet. Clark explained August is when demand really picks up because families are getting ready to go back to school.

“Families are trying to get their kids clothes and shoes and school fees and all these things,” he said. “Unfortunately, (they are) trying to trim those food budgets. Again, people wind up here.”

While demand increases over the summer, donations do not.

Clark said last year, the food bank ran out of food.

“We spent all our food budget for the year,” he said. “We are already into the 10’s of thousands that we have spent on food ourselves just to try and keep things flowing.”

He explained the food bank works with the city as well as local organizations and groups to try and provide as much as they can to the community. He mentioned Jessy’s Garden, a community garden program, helps provide the food bank with fresh, organic produce.

Clark also mentioned the food bank is working with the local food coalition to provide education to children to teach them where food comes from.

With files from Tyler Marr

Jeff.labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter