Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre executive director Erin Katerynych is sounding the alarm that the local food bank shelves are getting low. ( File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff

By Roger White

EMPTY SHELVES

Battlefords Food Bank seeing more clients as Christmas season approaches

Oct 26, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The Executive Director of the Battlefords District Food Resource Centre (BDFRC) is hoping the generosity of the community helps restock the shelves over the next few weeks heading into the Christmas season.

Erin Katerynych told battlefordsNOW, that due to increased demand for the organization’s services over the past few months, the Food Bank needs help to replenish its stock.

“We (BDRFRC) are not in a desperate situation yet, but we do want to make sure we get ahead of it before it gets worse,” said Katerynych.”We traditionally have a lull during the fall months in donations however, we have seen an increase in the number of people accessing our services recently.”

Katerynych pointed to the September numbers which saw 110 new clients access the Food Bank.

“The need for our services in the community is huge right now as we have approximately 2-thousand people access the facility every month with 55 per cent being children,” she explained.”We are currently having to purchase a lot of food to make ends meet so we can meet the demand.”

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This comes after the latest Hunger Count report from Food Banks Canada painted a bleak picture for food banks in the country.

The report showed that just 1.9 million people accessed food banks in March of this year.

READ MORE: Food Banks Canada report paints dire picture of Canada-wide affordability crisis

Area residents can help scare hunger away this Friday as the Food Resource Centre hosts its very first Haunted House at Shenanigans at 792 108th St. from 4 pm until 10 pm with admission being a non-perishable food item or a monetary donation.

“This is going to be a fun time,” Katerynych said. “We encourage everyone to come out and support the Food Bank and who knows what ghosts or goblins you might see.”

Katerynych also noted that the Battlefords District Food Resource Centre is now accepting warm winter clothing for those in need as the temperature drops.

“We have been handing out winter clothing for a few weeks and we find ourselves completely out of adult winter jackets,” she added. “So if anyone has gently used outdoor winter clothing, we would gladly take it off your hands.”

Donations can be made at the Food Bank weekdays from 8 am. to 3 pm at 1171 101st St.

Anyone with donations is asked to use the back door of the building and ring the bell for service.

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roger.white@pattisonmedia.com