‘We’re at a critical point’: Greater Vancouver Food Bank pleads for donations

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Local food banks are pleading for donations, with some reporting a big dip in the amount of food being brought in over the past five years.

“Last year, we circulated the least amount of food we ever have to our members,” said Cynthia Kinsella with the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

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However, the number of people food banks are serving has also increased.

“Our membership has actually climbed about 22 per cent in the last couple of months,” said Kinsella. “That’s an increased demand for all food banks. When your inventory is down and you have that increased need, it’s going to have an even greater impact.”

“We’re at a critical point.”

With donations going down steadily in the last few years and demand on the rise, Kinsella said they are now turning to people for help.

“This is always a tough time of the year through the summer and then when school starts up again, but this particular year is a situation we haven’t been in before so we really want to let the public know and ask for increased donations,” she said.

She added donations have been going down for the past five years.

“We are literally seeing empty shelves in the warehouse that should not be empty.”

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But there is a silver lining, Kinsella said although food donations are dropping, monetary donations have gone up. For every dollar the food bank receives, Kinsella explained staff can buy up to $3 worth of food.

Despite that, she said food banks still need canned items such as hearty stews, chillies, canned beans, chickpeas, peanut butter, tuna, and anything with whole grains.

-With files from Hana Mae Nassar

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