GLACE BAY, N.S.
An influx of new clients has pushed the Glace Bay Food Bank into a higher poverty category and as a result Feed Nova Scotia is providing more food.
“The food bank and Feed Nova Scotia track what is called a poverty count, basically the numbers of people who use your food bank,” said David MacKeigan, chair of the food bank.
Twenty new families used the food bank in November and an additional 36 became clients in December.
“Some of these 36 have as many as eight members in the family,” said Kimberly MacPherson, garden co-ordinator for the food bank.
So far in January, 11 new families have asked for assistance.
MacPherson said the new clients are new families moving into the community.
“There’s a lot of clients who have worked and have been laid off or have some sort of medical condition. It’s a wide variety of everything.”
However MacPherson said there is also an influx of new clients who moved back home from out west especially before Christmas.
“They try it out west and don’t succeed and want to be with their family for Christmas,” she said.
“They feel safe at home, that’s where their support system is.”
The food bank gave out food hampers to 404 clients and served 836 meals in December.
MacPherson said it’s very emotional for clients to ask for help.
“When whey see how much food we are actually giving them and different supplies — like toilet paper, hygiene products, cat and dog food, formula and diapers — they are shocked and ecstatic.”
MacKeigan said Feed Nova Scotia plays a big part in enabling them to do what they do at the local food bank.
“We get a couple pallets (of product) every Thursday and what we get is very important, very needed.”
Feed Nova Scotia provides mainly canned goods and fresh vegetables. However MacKeigan said there are times when they receive something special. And that was the case on Thursday when Feed Nova Scotia provided 500 pounds of mussels.
MacPherson said clients are always pleasantly surprised to get something they most likely wouldn’t otherwise get to eat. However she said there is always an alternative for anyone why doesn’t like fish or has allergies.
“A lot of times they feel very fortunate and thankful they have this opportunity to eat something they don’t regularly eat or can’t afford.”
Last year the food bank provided 13,000 meals and 3,600 hampers.
The food bank accepts donations at 2 Hector St., Glace Bay or by telephoning 902-849-0750.
