More rural residents are depending on food bank
Use of the Whitehorse Food Bank by families in rural areas as far away as Watson Lake and Pelly Crossing has increased, says its executive director.
Use of the Whitehorse Food Bank by families in rural areas as far away as Watson Lake and Pelly Crossing has increased, says its executive director.
"On a monthly basis, I see more people, proportionally, registering from the communities than in Whitehorse proper,” Stephen Dunbar-Edge said in an interview today.
He noted he can't provide exact numbers.
There are no food banks in the communities that the Whitehorse Food Bank is currently working with.
However, a new policy set for board approval next week will outline how new partnerships could be arranged if the local food bank was approached by a community looking to set one up.
Dunbar-Edge said many clients coming from rural areas will come into the city for other reasons, like doctor's appointments, and visit the food bank during the same trip.
"But I have seen families from Pelly where they'll pile into one vehicle and they'll be multiple families who will come to pick up groceries, with the cost of fuel,” he said.
The food bank's client basis grows every month, said Dunbar-Edge.
"When I first started here, we were hitting maybe 400 clients a month,” he said. "And now we're serving over 550, so demand has definitely grown.” That represents an increase of 150 clients in fewer than two years.
One client could represent an entire family. Dunbar-Edge said the 550 "clients” regularly served by the food bank represents approximately 1,300 people.
During question period Tuesday in the legislature, Kevin Barr, the NDP critic for Community Services, said the rising use of the food bank is evidence of the growing gap between rich and poor, a problem he calls national in scope.
"We're hearing that we're in this boom,” Barr said in an interview today.
"So I guess it raises concerns around what the government is doing to assist folks.”
Health and Social Services Minister Doug Graham told the legislature Tuesday that "that's one of the reasons we have a consultation process in place for the social inclusion policy.
"I won't jump ahead and predetermine what the results of that social inclusion consultation will be. We will wait for it to occur.”
The minister was not available for an interview this morning to expand on his comments.
Comments (6)
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north_of_60 on Apr 18, 2012 at 12:43 pm
According to the Food Bank website, all a person needs to get free food is to have a valid ID. That's a policy that allows for a lot of abuse from people who want free food so they can have more money for booze and smokes.
I'll be donating to the SallyAnn instead of the Food Bank in the future.
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bobby bitman on Apr 16, 2012 at 8:40 am
I talked to a social assistance renter and asked him how he affords to smoke cigarettes. He said he uses the food bank and smokes his food money. He admitted it was probably not right, but said a lot of people do it. They have addictions which will be fed; and then they worry about food. The food bank allows them to eat without begging or stealing, I guess.
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shenya on Apr 13, 2012 at 8:44 am
Whitehorse is a very expensive city to live at. Some people can barely make ends meet and so good people contribute to the food bank to help these people. Some families have children and some are single parents. I feel bad for the people from other communities taking advantage of the goodness of others. Surely their communities provide for their people. Its is good to help the Salvation Army and its also good to help the families and people making efforts in making a living but still appreciate some help.
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north_of_60 on Apr 12, 2012 at 10:48 am
Like Joel I've supported the food bank because I believed I was helping the truly needy. However I'm having the same doubts, and wonder if perhaps contributing to the SallyAnn soup kitchen would be better assisting the truly needy who might otherwise not get fed.
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Joel on Apr 12, 2012 at 3:50 am
I agree. Any time I drive by there, it seems like some awefully nice new vehicles picking up some free food. I know it is a horrible way to think, but I am sure there are a good portion that would rather take free than pay for it. Their food money could then be used for other things like quads, vacations, etc.
If people need the service, then I am glad they have it and I personally support the food bank because of this thought...but there is always that doubt in the back of my mind....
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north_of_60 on Apr 11, 2012 at 7:47 am
It would be useful for the public to know what qualifies someone for food bank assistance.
There's a common perception that it's just people getting free food so they can afford booze, smokes and lotto.