Local Salvation Army expanding

“So we’re the northern food hub, so we provide food to 20 other smaller food banks, like Fort St. John, Kitimat and the northern food banks. And so we’re able to receive shipments for that. But the warehouse is going to be expanded so that we can allow for more shipments to come in.”

Food Security expert Dr. Annie Booth says there’s a history of food banks, dating back to the 70’s.

“The food banks were only meant to be a temporary solution. And the assumption was we would work our way out of the economic challenges. Jobs would come back. And so food banks would be kind of an emergency measure only.”

Sadly, demand for food is on the rise.

“The food bank right now is serving about 4,500 individuals every month. And then, like I said, we also serve the 20 other food banks in the north. Now, not all that food comes from Prince George. It comes from other sources for food banks throughout the province, brings it up here, and then we’re able to ship it out,” says Laflamme.

“Well, those figures are actually, I suppose, shocking to some people. It genuinely surprises me it’s not higher,” notes Booth.

The Salvation Army Food Bank survives on donations.

“Most people donate the incorrect things, and it’s really important to actually follow what food banks are asking for because nobody lives on mac and cheese Kraft Dinner forever,” says Booth.

Laflamme says, on average, the demand rises by 25 percent per year, if not more.

by Cheryl Jahn

Local Salvation Army expanding

What's Trending