Another Saint John food bank is appealing to the public for donations — a plea that comes just two weeks after Saint John’s largest food bank, the Community Food Basket, revealed many of its clients are using the service as their main source of food.
READ MORE: Food bank prime source of food for many users: Saint John Community Food Basket
Now, the North End Food Bank is looking for help.
Donations are down which has resulted in more money being used to buy food. That, in more ways than one, comes at a price and now the food bank is facing a serious financial situation.
“It’s probably one of the hardest parts of my job is looking at somebody and saying, ‘ I’m sorry you’ve been here this month already.'”
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Food bank treasurer David Kierstead says the bank account is about half of what he would like it to be at a time when demand has been growing over the past year.
Food bank client David Roach says the items he receives are important when you’re on a limited budget.
“It comes in handy for little odd things we need through the week because we’re only on a certain income,” Roach said.
Roach faces the added pressure of being a single father of two.
“I am the mother and father right now so they need me, and I think its very wonderful to bring up children and and bring them up right so they can be healthy, go to school, get an education and maybe someday they can help out too.”
Food bank officials say cash is needed most, but any donation will be gratefully accepted. The situation is getting so serious, there’s been talk about closing the doors.
“That’s always in the back of my mind,” Clarke said. “I also know that we live in a very generous city and when needs are known people do step up so that’s what I’m hoping for.”