Rising inflation Rates and skyrocketing food prices are making it difficult for some to make ends meet, increasing the demand for help from food banks.
Bear Clan Patrol Known for walking the streets and helping the needy community members. However, these days that help has been extended to his Selkirk Avenue Food Bank.
“We are feeding 600 to 700 people a day,” said Bayer Klan interim director, Kevin Walker.
“I think without that resource, it’s going to put a lot of pressure on the community.”
This is the added pressure the group is trying to help ease. The food bank runs entirely on donations, primarily from large retailers such as Costco, Co-op and IGA. The group picks up all the donations, sorts them, and gives daily to those in need.
“People will come in, line up at the front and they will get food hassle-free. No identification is required,” said board chairman Brian Chrupalo.
The food bank evolved from a handicap program that served about 400 people each week and was funded by the federal government. Kripalo said the money dried up but the help was not in dire need.
Now the food bank is feeding hundreds of people daily from Monday to Friday.
“Prices are going up. The price of gas is going up. So people have choices about what they’re going to buy with their budget, whether it’s limited or not, seeing tensions,” Chrupalo said.
“Many people have told us before that if we weren’t here, they would either be stealing food or jumping into the trash and … there’s no dignity in that.”
Walker said he has seen how hunger leads to frustration for many in the community and can often lead to criminal activity. He notes that recently members of the clan had a conversation with a man during a foot patrol.
“We approached a young gentleman who was clearly hungry, looking for food. We were able to help him out and at the end of the conversation he said, ‘Thank you very much. I was about to rob 7-Eleven, ” He said.
“So when you’re there it makes a difference. Desperate times, desperate measures.”
Not only does the group hand out food through their donation, but the team also takes water, sandwiches and even sunscreen with them to help those within the community who appear to be in need .
“We always take food donations like canned goods, packaged goods, granola, individually packaged items, stuff like that, sunscreen, bug screens, anything you think might be used outdoors, ” They said. “(Things) that not too many people have access to and which we take lightly.”
While the food bank relies entirely on donations, it still costs the organization approximately $225,000 annually to maintain and run.
“Gas prices are rising, vehicle repairs, our salaries are what the people who work here are going to,” Kripalo said. “Plus the rent, all those bills… It piles up quickly. You wouldn’t think, but it costs $225,000 a year to give away free meals. That’s a lot of money for a small organization.”
It is a resource that the group knows is desperately needed to continue within the community. The Bear Clan is always on the lookout for more donations, whether it’s cash that can be used to buy goods, food (especially fresh fruits and vegetables), or sunscreen, bug spray, and clothing.
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