The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Dennis Hydamaka would love nothing more than to go out of business. But for the sixth consecutive year, the food distribution chairman of the Lord's Bounty Food Bank has seen an unfortunate increase in demand for the service. "Once again, we set a new record," said Hydamaka of the fiscal year ended Sept. 30. "We set a record in the number of clients and the number of people fed." Usage of the food bank was up nine per cent in 2003-04, due largely, Hydamaka said, to needy people moving to the Flin Flon area from neighbouring communities. Hydamaka and his fellow volunteers supplied food for 408 people, half of them under the age of 18. All told, a two-day supply of food was provided to individuals on 2,149 occasions. While some people stopped relying on the food bank, the amount of new clients took up their spots and then some. Of the current clients, 39 per cent began visiting the food bank in 2004. "It's disheartening," said Hydamaka. "We hope to go out of business, not to keep increasing." Hydamaka praised the community for its generosity in providing donations. It just hasn't been enough to keep pace with the demand. Food bank volunteers hope the rising demand declines over the next year, but Hydamaka conceded he is not overly optimistic that will happen. Food bank clients represent a cross-section of the community. Everyone from infants and teenagers, to married couples and senior citizens, visit anywhere from once a year to twice every month. The vast majority are unemployed, but about 10 per cent are among the working poor. "In some cases, we have both parents working, but their income just isn't enough to supply the needs for the family," said Hydamaka. Unbeknownst to much of the community, the food bank also serves about half a dozen homeless people. These individuals, Hydamaka noted, "sleep wherever they can rest their heads," be it at an improvised camp site or a back alley. More food bank volunteers would be greatly appreciated. Anyone interested in lending a hand may phone 687-7242 or 687-6341 for more information.
