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Read All Latest NewsGoldstream Food Bank facing ‘significant shortage’ as demand grows
News Story by Laura Brougham | Chek News
As the number of people accessing the food bank continues to grow, the Goldstream Food Bank says it is facing a “significant shortage” and is asking for donations.
Langford Fire Rescue shared the note on behalf of the food bank on Facebook, saying the organization is working to make sure no one goes hungry.
“We’re currently facing a significant shortage of donations, and our shelves are much emptier than they normally are at this time of the year,” the Facebook post says.
“Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference.”
The food bank says it is particularly in need of oatmeal in individual packets, taco kits, hamburger helper, chunky soup and condiments.
The Goldstream Food Bank also accepts cash donations.
“Your monetary dollar donation goes much further at a wholesale level because as a food bank it affords us better purchasing power,” the food bank says on its website. “Approximately every dollar donated allows us to purchase two dollars worth of food.”
To make food donations, you can drop them off at the bin at the left side of the ramp when the food bank is operating.
Food banks under increasing pressure
The Goldstream Food Bank isn’t the only food bank facing a shortage. The Sooke Food Bank had to close early after its shelves were emptied on Sept. 5.
“We probably had done almost 225 hampers yesterday, households. That’s unreal,” Kim Kaldal Metzger, the president of the Sooke Food Bank, told CHEK News on Sept. 6.
Additionally, Food Banks Canada found there was a 32 per cent increase in food bank use in March 2023 compared to the year prior and elsewhere on the Island, food banks have also reported seeing an increase in need.
Goldstream Food Bank facing ‘significant shortage’ as demand grows (cheknews.ca)