Food Bank trying to restock empty shelves

Alicia Boisson
South Peace News

January took its toll on the High Prairie and District Food Bank leaving them with limited food rations. Kim Dumont, the food bank coordinator, says by Jan. 31 they reached a record high with 60 families needing to access the service. “That’s just for January,” says Dumont, adding she expects the rest of the year to be exactly the same. “I think because of Christmas people are struggling but overall I think the last year has left a number of people struggling, but I am not sure why.” Currently, the food bank is low on lunch snacks, pastas and rice. “I don’t think people think about these things when they are donating,” says Dumont. “We seem to get a lot of soups but not enough pasta, snacks,” She adds another shortage is canned meat like tuna. “We try to provide balanced meals for seven days.” The food bank is also looking for hunters during the hunting season or ranchers who would be willing to donate their animals, so that they can provide meat to the families. “We know it is a large donation but a lot of these kids are not getting enough meat in their diet and I think it is important,” says Dumont, adding donations of IGA stamps can help as well. “We want to ensure these people are getting their milk and eggs.” In order to use the food bank you have to pass through a screening process, then they are only able to use the service twice in a six-month period. Dumont says the food bank recognizes a lot of the stereotypes that surround it but they are not there to judge where income is being spent. “Our main priority are the children. Why should they suffer because their supporters are unable to provide for them. We just want to make sure each child has food in their stomach,” says Dumont.

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