Lambton County Council is stepping up to support local food banks.
Council has endorsed a resolution from the City of Sarnia to give a minimum $120,000 to help local organizations during the pandemic.
Sarnia Councillor Mike Stark said it's much needed.
"The reality is, people are hungry and they're going to be even hungrier," said Stark. "The CERB [Canada Emergency Response Benefit] is limited to $2,000 per recipient. Once rent or mortgages are paid, the limited amount of money for food is obviously going to become more, and more apparent."
County staff agreed that food security is a huge issue right now, and said $60,000 has already been directed to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
"My concern is that once we get into the real crux of people needing help, the food has to be there," Stark added. "I think as long as we give our staff the ability to regulate the distribution of that money, the City of Sarnia believes that the five per cent allocation or the $140,000 total, is something that is needed."
The county has received $2.8 million in emergency provincial funding to combat homelessness during the pandemic.
