Left to right are Cathryn Abrametz and Kim Scruby of the PA food bank and MLA Alana Ross as the province announced a $73,500 boost for the local food bank. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Food bank use soars

Province bumps funding as food bank usage soars in Prince Albert

Jul 25, 2024 | 2:00 PM

Recently, the Prince Albert food bank gave out 1,300 hampers in a month, the equivalent of 10 per cent of the population.

Usage grew 15 per cent last year and 15 per cent the year before, said Kim Scruby, executive director as MLA Alana Ross announced a $73,000 increase for the local food bank.

“This money is definitely going to come in handy for helping us meet the need. You know, we get a lot of support from the local community, businesses, individuals but as you can see from our shelves, as soon as it come in, it goes out just as fast.” said Scruby.

Scruby has been with the food bank since 2017 and said that usage grew consistently every year but spiked in the last two years.

“There’s no sign of it coming down,” he said, adding that he doesn’t expect it to stabilize until inflation (currently just under three per cent across Canada but about 1.5 per cent in Sask) stabilizes.

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Usage among newcomers has also grown. For years about eight newcomer families would need to use the food bank and now that number is closer to 100, he said.

Demand for emergency hampers has grown from about 18 per month half a decade a go to about 100 per month. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

Ross pointed out that while Saskatchewan is still very affordable, the government recognises the impact of higher expenses for residents.

“Since the provincial budget was announced this spring, daily living costs and food prices have continued to climb. The carbon tax, grocery prices, and many other things, and we know that this is having an impact on people and families across our province and low income families are feeling at the most,” she said.

The province decided to boost funding to food bank across Saskatchewan by $1 million this year and another million next year.

“The Ministry of Social Services is partnering with food banks of Saskatchewan to distribute the funding based on the population and average food bank consumption of the communities they serve,” Ross explained.

Government funding makes up about 18 per cent of the food bank’s budget and they rely heavily on volunteers and local giving, a need that has also grown.

“We’ve seen an unprecedented demand for our emergency food hampers,” said Cathryn Abrametz, a member of the board of directors.

“Fulfilling this incredible need means that families and individuals who reach out to us daily can receive the food and support that they need. All of the volunteer hours served, funds donated, and thousands of pounds and food contributed from individuals, community groups, corporate donors, and government partnerships goes towards nourishing families and building a stronger, more resilient Prince Albert.”

Items most in demand at the food bank are non-perishable goods of any description including canned foods (even past best before date) and diapers for young babies.

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com