The Inn of Good Shepherd has seen a decline in food donations as more people struggle with the rising cost of groceries and everyday items.
Over the last four years, the Inn has seen a nearly 20 per cent increase in those coming to the food bank for help, while also seeing an almost equal decline in food donations.
Outgoing Executive Director Myles Vanni said the impact of more people using food banks is pretty standard across the province.
"We're now serving 2,300 people a month using the food bank. Four years ago, coming out of COVID, we were at 1,850 a month, so significantly more - about a 20 per cent increase," Vanni said. "People are feeling the pinch of that budget. So, you know, you would have people who would go shopping, pick up a few things at the end, and put it in the barrel at the grocery store on their way out, and now they're looking at it and think, well, we spent all our grocery budget this week."
The Inn has also seen a decline in donations at events such as the Thanksgiving food drive.
"We're seeing a decline in all of our food raising right now. Thanksgiving food drive, we are about 8,000 pounds short. Cops for cans, we're about 4,000 pounds (short), everything is coming in a little bit lower, just because of that, that pressure of people on their personal purchase," said Vanni.
The food bank is not the only food program the Inn runs, other programs include the Soup Kitchen, Mobile Market, Snack Packs, and the Christmas Adopt a Family program, which is helping 561 families have Christmas this year.
Myles Vanni was the guest speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Sarnia-Lambton Golden K meeting on December 16.
