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.
Volunteers at The Lord's Bounty Food Bank are concerned about a sudden drop in their available food supplies. "I can't remember in recent history being so low on food," commented Dennis Hydamaka, Food Distribution Chairperson. The drop in food supplies will soon force the Food Bank to limit their clients to one visit per month, instead of the current two visits. This new format, which is set to begin July 1, will also see a reduced amount of food being allocated to the hampers that are handed out. "It's a sad situation," said Sheila Marchant, Vice-Chairman of the food bank. "I've been here for four years and I have never seen it so desperate." According to Hydamaka, the Food Bank volunteers have noticed an increase in the amount of food they have distributed in every month since the start of their fiscal year, October 1, 2003. While the actual number of food hampers handed out has remained relatively the same as the year before, the amount of food in the hampers has increased. See 'Multi' P.# Con't from P.# This is because there has been an increase in the size of the family units who are being assisted. "There are more multi-person units, particularly single parents," commented Hydamaka. There are 133 families who rely on assistance from the Food Bank each month. A 'family unit' can consist of a single person, or it could mean a parent with children. The shortage of food supplies has occurred even after a special donation of one ton of food from the members of the Curves fitness centre for women this past spring. All of the food from that food drive has since been handed out. Hydamaka expressed his appreciation for the local outlets who regularly supply the Food Bank each month. Anyone who wants to help at this time should take note of the food distribution drop-off locations at the Co-op, Family Foods and Extra Foods.
