Sidney Lions Food Bank is setting unfortunate records this summer.
“Our numbers have gone through the roof,” said Bev Elder, administrator for the food bank that covers the entire Peninsula.
On average over the summer last year, they served about 900 clients a month.
“We’ve had three months where we hit 1,100,” she said. Last month marked a record at 1,500.
“It’s definitely more families,” Elder said.
They’re short on the most basic of food items including: canned fruit, canned tomatoes, dry soups, rice, helpers and sides, school snacks and personal hygiene items.
“We are always really low in the summer,” Elder said. “We have major food drives set for October but we can’t wait until then.”
While it won’t help immediately, Elder was pleased to hear that the new edible landscaping at North Saanich (see related story Page A1) has the food bank as part of its priority for harvested food.
“We are always short of produce,” she said.
The food bank does have a farm in Central Saanich that donates produce regularly, and it goes just as quickly.
“People want the fresh stuff,” Elder said. “Even if you’re poor you want to eat healthy and feed your kids properly.”
Donate to the local food bank online at www.sidneyfoodbank.com or drop off donations at the Sidney Lions Food Bank, 2295 Ocean Ave.