Big changes for Enderby food bank

It’s been a busy few months for the Enderby food bank, with about a 30 per cent spike in demand compared to this time last year; and there have been times the service has run out of necessities.

Friday was the start of holiday hamper applications with more than 100 people coming through the door to sign up.

But this year operations are running a bit differently, with a big change to the local food bank. For more than two decades it’s received a big helping hand from the Vernon Salvation Army, with the Sally Ann providing about $284,000 to help the food bank remain up and running. However this year, the Salvation Army has been forced to cut ties with Enderby, as it deals with a six figure debt load of its own.

“We can’t support them financially. We are struggling ourselves to make ends meet,” says Cpt. Jean-Curtis Plante with the Vernon Salvation Army. “Last year we were in a deficit of $150,000.”

Cpt. Plante says the Salvation Army ensured the food bank was in good hands before cutting ties. Now an Enderby non-profit, the Food Action Committee for Today and Tomorrow (FACT), is stepping in to help out.

They city’s mayor says the community is up for being self-reliant.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to do our own thing in Enderby,” says mayor, Greg McCune. “Anytime you can have 100 per cent control of what you’re doing…it’ll just be better.”

Food bank organizers are also optimistic, but there is still a bit of uncertainty surrounding going out on their own.

“Money is coming in now because it’s before Christmas. There’s always big donations before Christmas,” says the food bank’s volunteer coordinator, Dianne Nadeau. “It’ll be after that Christmas spirit goes and people don’t give as much we’ll see how things work out.”