Interfaith Food Bank. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Interfaith Food Bank could see 40% rise in demand this year

Apr 16, 2020 | 12:56 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – As many are currently laid off of work and non-essential businesses have been forced to close, people are turning to food banks in larger numbers.

Danielle McIntyre, the Executive Director of Lethbridge’s Interfaith Food Bank (IFB), says that is certainly the case for their organization.

At this time last year, the IFB helped between 1,300 to 1,500 people a month.

“Right now, we’re experiencing about a 25 per cent [increase in] demand and we’re expecting that to grow to 30 per cent to 40 per cent over the coming year.”

This means that upwards of 2,100 people could be receiving food from them. This does not include usage at Lethbridge’s other food banks.

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What they have been receiving in donations has changed as well.

McIntyre reports that food donations have fallen “substantially” in recent weeks.

“A large portion of our food raising has dropped off just because of mass gathering restrictions as well as because of the limited items that are available on the grocery store shelves.”

Part of it is because the food bank is encouraging people to give money rather than food as it limits the number of items that need to be touched and the number of people who come into their office.

Financial contributions can be made directly on the IFB’s website while their Facebook page has a variety of ongoing fundraisers.

She adds that online donations have grown since the pandemic began.

“We’ve had a really good showing of support from people who are at least identifying that they know the food banks need support right now, whether they’re able to give financially is another question, but people who are healthy and able to volunteer have been helping us out. We’re just very grateful to live in such a great community of people who will come together in times like these.”

At the same time, if it were not for a massive $100,000 donation by Cor Van Raay last month, McIntyre said she did not want to think about where they would be right now.

While the group’s office is still open and people can access their services in-person, they are asking the public to limit their number of visits and to take larger amounts of food when they do come.

“If you are sick, we do not want you to come to the food bank at all.”

The IFB has partnered with MyCityCare Lethbridge to deliver food to those in need.

If you need food delivered to your home, McIntyre says to call their office at 403-320-8779 to arrange a delivery.