Nelson Food forced to shut doors due to run on hampers, public urged to help
By Nelson Daily Staff
It’s a sign of times and its finally reached Nelson.
Major Yvonne Borrows of the Salvation Army was forced to close the food bank due to an overwhelming demand on the 601 Vernon Street location.
“The recent HungerCount 2012 report revealed the number of people in B.C. using Food Banks has gone up, which is quite sad because B.C. is one of the wealthy provinces in Canada,” Borrows told The Nelson Daily.
“Nelson is an anomaly because unemployment is one of the highest cities in the province and rent is very high,” Borrows added.
“People are having to use 80 percent of their income on rent so that doesn’t leave much left for food and utilities.”
The result is Food Bank staff is seeing more and more families come through the doors looking for food — upwards of 400 to 500 families every month from the previous 350-400.
“This month, which is just half over, we’ve had over 300 families take home hampers and we’ve got another week to go,” Borrows explained.
“And we’re seeing lots of seniors we haven’t normally seen in the past,” she adds.
Burrows said the increase of families needing food has blown her budget, which was pegged at $1600 per month.
She said the Food Bank has spent at least $3000 per month.
“I’ve got no money left and we do our year end in March so I’ve got four months left to go with no money,” she said.
The call has gone out for donations and local businesses are starting to jump on board.
The annual Real Canadian Wholesale Club drive begins this weekend.
Local radio station Easy Rock joined forces with Nelson Ford and Canada Safeway to promote the “Fill a Truck, Fill a Tummy” drive.
Borrows is hopeful, and optimistic, Nelson and area residents will support the major December Salvation Army fundraiser.
Bins are set up a many locations in the city, including the Chalko Mika Mall, Safeway, Real Canadian Wholesale Club and Marks Workware Warehouse.
The Salvation Army Christmas Red Kettles will soon be manned at major locations in Nelson.
Despite closing for the weekend, Borrows has received enough donations of food to re-open Monday.
However, if people want to drop of non-perishable items the Food Bank is open to accept food or money at 601 Front Street.
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