In four years, the number of people who rely on the Angus Food Bank has more than tripled.
Most of the new users fall into one of the fastest-growing segments of society — the working poor.
The reason, according to Angus Food Bank president Heather Morgan, is simple. The cost of living is skyrocketing out of control, leaving more and more people struggling to make ends meet.
“I see families where I know both mom and dad work and they’re having a hard time paying all of their bills,” Morgan said. “They have to come here because they don't make enough to cover the necessities every month.”
The seemingly never-ending increase in the cost of living is not only driving up the number of folks who rely on food banks every month, but it’s also having a dramatic effect on the volume of food the local organization has on hand, especially when it comes to staple items, such as peanut butter, canned tuna and Kraft Dinner.
There was a time, Morgan said, when the food bank would have a minimum of two full shelves for each of the big three staples.
Today, those shelves are bare as often as they’re full.
“People can’t afford to buy an extra peanut butter or tuna for us,” Morgan said. “A lot of the people who used to give us $10 can’t afford to do that anymore — they need it.
“Bills and mortgage payments and rents have gone crazy. It’s not good for anyone,” she added.
According to Morgan, the number of people relying on the food bank has been steadily increasing since the COVID pandemic.
“Before COVID, we served about 100 people a month,” she said. “Today, we’re serving more than 300 families.”
Providing food for that many families every month is a challenge - one that’s not being made any easier for volunteers who work out what is essentially a mobile home.
Located at the back edge of the parking lot behind the Angus Recreation Centre, the food bank’s physical space is limited for today’s needs.
“It was more than acceptable when we had less than 90 customers,” Morgan said. “Today, though, it’s just not enough.”
She says she would like a bigger space, but she also knows, from first-hand experience dealing with 300 families every month, that funds are hard to secure, from individuals and municipalities alike.
She says she’s grateful for the support she receives from individuals, groups and governments, but as the need continues to increase, she thinks more has to be done.
“We won’t turn anyone away,” Morgan said. “But we’re not keeping pace with the number of people we're serving. That’s a concern.”
The Angus Food Bank, which is located at 8527 County Rd. 10, is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day. If you require emergency assistance, call 705-794-9260.
