Food Bank visits in the province are up nearly 80% from 2019.
Closer to home, that number is significantly higher.
“Since 2020, our statistics for the Food Bank are up 202% much higher than the national average,” Sarah Jackman, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Williams Lake Salvation Army said, “One-third of our Food Bank clients are children, about 20% are seniors, and there is a very, very high percentage that is two person incomes and that makes up for one in four of our visits.”
Jackman said just keeping regular staple pantry items on their shelves is getting more and more challenging.
In addition to trying to keep the Williams Lake Salvation Army Food Bank stocked, they also offer breakfast and lunches.
“We do provide breakfast and lunch everyday and our dining hall is packed everyday. It’s more difficult for us to be able to continue the quality of service that we provide. Just the amount of meals that we’re supplying to families and individuals, everybody is feeling the economic pinch.”
In 2024 Jackman said the Williams Lake Salvation Army served 20,465 breakfast and lunches and that comes at a cost of $269,000.
On November 22nd they’ll be kicking off their traditional Christmas Kettle Campaign at several stores around the Lake City.
“Hopefully everybody is feeling generous and have the ability to be generous because we really do depend on the Kettle Campaign it is our biggest fundraiser of the year and we need it this year more than ever. Every dollar that is donated stays local in Williams Lake,” Jackman said.
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