CORNER BROOK — A national study on food bank usage is reporting a decrease in Newfoundland and Labrador between 2011 and 2012.
The study is Food Banks Canada’s annual Hunger Count, and while the results are accurate, Egbert Walters said it doesn’t reflect what may be occurring at individual food banks.
Walters is the general manager of the Newfoundland and Labrador Community Food Sharing Association. The association provides food products, on a need basis, to 58 food banks in the province. That includes the two outlets in Corner Brook served by the Food Bank Network.
“We’ve had decreases the last two or three years in a row,” said Walters of overall provincial usage.
He attributes the drop to the oil and gas industry, which he said is “driving” the province’s economy.
“There’s a lot of employment with the oil and gas industry here in the province, and with the oil and gas industry in Western Canada and also the mines in Northern communities.”
He also gives credit to the province’s poverty reduction strategy.
“I think when you put all that together it shows that there’s a positive trend in food bank usage.
“Now having said that there’s still over 27,000 individuals throughout the province accessing food banks on a regular monthly basis.”
Walters said the greatest need tends to be in more rural ares.
In the Bay of Islands area the Food Bank Network is currently serving about 120 families each month. In 2011 it responded to 1,097 requests from January to September. For the same period this year it responded to 1,083 requests.
While those numbers remain on par, the network experienced 16 per cent increase in usage from 2010 to 2011.
“I don’t think we’re ever going to get to the point where it’s going to be down to zero, but I think it’s positive that we’re working in the right direction,” said Walters.
Meanwhile, the association is currently taking part in the Buy Atlantic, For Atlantic program with Majesta and Cavendish Farms.
Consumers will be able to use coupons to save $1 off the purchase of Majesta and Cavendish Farms products and $1 will go to provincial food bank associations in Atlantic Canada. Each association will receive a minimum of $5,000.
“Cash is the lifeblood really of any non-profit association,” said Walters. “It’s what keeps you going.”
Vick I agree with you 100%, it is actually 8 weeks and I disagree totally. The coordinator and all the high up paid positions should take one of these hampers home and try and survive off it for 8 weeks.. It can't be done,nor will they even atempt it... I know the food bank is for emergency use only but for some families emergency is every week because everything is so over priced here that most people can't afford to buy healthy foods such as fruits and vegtables.