BY ERIN FAWCETT
Lacombe Express
Like many other agencies, the Lacombe Community Food Bank has felt recent pressures due to Alberta’s economic downturn.
Millie Snow, general manager of the Lacombe Community Food Bank said demand increased just before Christmas and has remained strong from there.
“It has gone up this year. Roughly we would normally do 80-90 hampers a month and since December and on we’ve done about 130 hampers a month. We haven’t had to turn anyone away, so that is good,” said Snow, adding a common reason for the increase in demand is because people have lost their jobs. “We are running short of everything but Lacombe people are very generous so I’m thinking they will come around.”
Snow said the agency is running short of a number of items and is asking the community to help.
“Money is always fine but right now we’re out of the ready to eat soups, we are very low on macaroni and cheese, Hamburger Helper, kids’ lunch stuff such as fruit cups, juices and little treats. We put the last of the tomato soup on our shelves. And we always need peanut butter and jam, flour, sugar, rice, oatmeal - just the basics,” she said.
Another need at the food bank is bar soap, laundry soap and dish soap. Fruits and vegetables are also needed in terms of donations. “Those are usually gone right away.”
The Lacombe Community Food Bank will have a Stuff A Bus fundraiser which is hosted by the Lacombe Rotary Club this coming August.
For more information about donating, contact the food bank at 403-782-6777.
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