Salvation Army's cupboard is bare and demand up 30%

People are lining up for food in the front room of the Salvation Army's Bay Street depot.

In the back room, volunteers have nothing to put in the bags.

That's why Hamilton Salvation Army is pleading for help. There's a 30 per cent increase in people asking the agency for food at a time when donations have slumped.

Rising need in the city has left food supplies dangerously low, says Major Ken Percy.

In July, the Salvation Army food bank in Hamilton served 1,620 people. That is up 30 per cent over the same month last year when 1,074 sought help.

"Summer months are normally a slower time for receiving donations and with the increased needs in the city, food supplies are dangerously low," he said. "We are in desperate need of non-perishable food items."

The major says the impact of the 30 per cent increase in need this year, combined with collecting only 3.1 tonnes of food compared to last year's 12.2 tonnes, represents a 300 per cent decrease in food donations.

The Salvation Army says the effects of the economic climate continue to be felt by those who have been pushed to the margins.

Percy, who just came to southern Ontario from a similar post in Alberta, says the situation "is the same across the country."

There may be economic recovery going on but "people are still struggling to make ends meet," he says.

In July, 69 families registered with the food bank for the first time.

The "collateral damage" the recession has done to families "will take a long time to heal," he adds.

Some of that damage has been done to donors who used to help but now don't feel they are able to, he said. "Right now, we are hurting for food."

Percy says donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Army locations at 80 Bay St. N., in Hamilton, or 150 King St. W. in Dundas.

Anyone wishing to help can also donate cash, which can go a long way because the Salvation Army has "tremendous buying power."

Donations can be made on the army's website at salvationarmy.ca or by phoning 1-800-725-2769.

Meanwhile, Hamilton residents have a chance today to help Hamilton Food Share by buying and donating fresh produce at the Ottawa Street Farmer's Market.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) and Hamilton Food Share are asking people to buy and share fresh, local food with their local food bank at the market.

"The Buy Local, Share Local program aims to provide the hundreds of thousands of Ontarians who are forced to turn to food banks with fresh and healthy foods grown locally by area farmers," said Adam Spence, the OAFB executive director, in a statement.

"We are facing tough times in Ontario, and food banks are struggling to keep up with demand," he said. "We need all the help we can get."

Hamilton residents can support the campaign in person today at the Ottawa Street Farmers' Market by dropping off their donation at the OAFB Buy Local Share Local booth.

Article Source: theSpec.com