Orillia's Salvation Army Orillia is seeing a marked increase in need for its food bank this year.
From 2022 to 2023, the Salvation Army Orillia saw a 20.5 per cent increase in food bank users. While 2024 numbers are not yet official, Salvation Army Capt. Josh Howard believes the need for the local food bank remains just as strong.
"Some of this is what we are all experiencing when we go to the grocery store or the gas pump," he said. "Prices have gone up and people still need to put food on the table."
Howard says the demographic of people accessing the food bank is also changing. More seniors than ever before are needing support, he said.
"We are also seeing working families," he said. "We are seeing people who maybe weren't accessing the food bank in the past."
Howard says the Salvation Army serves an average of 400 households, or 1,200 individuals, each month.
"We are continuing to meet that need," he said. "But it's becoming increasingly more difficult to meet that need."
Howard says the food bank is seeking donations of food and money from the public to help meet the growing need.
"We are looking for non-perishable items," Howard said. "Canned goods, canned meat, canned vegetables, soup, peanut butter, pasta, cereal, and those sorts of things have a good shelf life."
Howard says the need to help local residents battling food insecurity will only increase as we approach the holiday season.
"We are preparing for close to 700 Christmas hampers again this year," he said. "We anticipate that need being there."
Especially as the holiday season approaches, Howard says the Salvation Army will also need some assistance through volunteers.
"Whether it be through our Christmas hampers, kettles, or other types of Christmas assistance, we need big numbers in a short amount of time," he said. "If people have time to give, we will do our best to find the right working spot for them."
To donate or volunteer, you can connect with the Salvation Army's office at 705-326-3284.
"We'd be glad to set up a time with someone to drop off a donation," he said. "It's best to call ahead to make sure we are available to accept when they have a time that works."
