“It’s their first time’: More people than ever are turning to food banks under COVID-19

With the holiday season fast approaching, food banks around the province say they are noticing a concerning trend.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect businesses and livelihoods as the second wave gains ground, and more people than ever are turning to food banks for help. In addition, fewer people are able to make donations.

Kim Metzger, the president of the food bank in Sooke on Vancouver Island, told Global News that before COVID-19, staff would provide for about 70 families a week. Now, they provide for about 104 families on average, and that’s considered a slow week.

“That’s a lot of people and a lot of food, and when the tourist-driven industries out here are not able to operate to full capacity, that really affects our communities. That really affects people’s income,” she said.

“It’s a different clientele. It’s people who are not used to coming to food banks. It’s their first time. They’re used to being the people who drop a bag off food in the bin — they’re not used to coming and taking food.”

4:31 How the pandemic impacted food banks

Volunteer Gerry St. Laurent said he delivers 15 to 20 hampers every week now for people who can’t or won’t leave their homes.

“If any of us got COVID, the food bank would be shut down.”

Impacting the operation further, Metzger said they desperately need a big enough space where they can not only provide food and hampers, but also work on preventative measures around food security.

By Christmas, she said they expect to need $320,000 worth of food to feed everyone.

And every food bank is feeling this level of need, she added.

“It’s a scary situation out there. I think unless you’ve had to walk in a food bank line, you don’t know.”

Anyone wanting to donate food or money to their local food bank can go to FoodBanksBC to find a local facility.