Sault foodbank brings back school lunch program
With a new school year fast approaching, St. Vincent Place in Sault Ste. Marie is accepting applications for its school lunch program.
This year’s program launch comes at a time when food banks are struggling to keep up with demand as food costs continue to increase due to inflation.
"We could really use donations in support of the Lunches for Learning program right now," said Sarah McCleary, the coordinator of the program.
"The non-perishables, definitely, folks could donate. Or they can make a monetary donation and just indicate that they want it go towards the program."
Meantime, Harvest Algoma’s 'Every Breakfast Counts' program is wrapping up for the summer. Officials there said it’s been busy.
"What we’re doing is great, but the fact that we need to feed a thousand kids a week is not so great," said Deron Barlow. "And we’d probably do more, but we have a budget and a limit on what we can actually service."
Officials at St. Vincent Place and Harvest Algoma said food bank usage has been steadily increasing as rising food costs are putting a squeeze on donations.
"The food bank usage has definitely gone up over the last several months over the previous five year average, it’s really not stopping," said McCleary.
"Donations have been slowing down, unfortunately, so they’re not really keeping up, but the client usage is going up."
Barlow said year-to-date totals at Harvest Algoma have already surpassed last year’s numbers.
"Last year, we had about 14,253 adults that were fed through us, and that was for the full year," he said.
"This year, it’s now Aug. 16 and we’re at 14,753. So our numbers have already gone up, and we’ve got another four months to go."
St. Vincent Place has capped participation in its Lunches for Learning program at 200 kids and spots are filling up fast. Those not part of the initial 200 will be put on a waiting list.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.