Hunger in Victoria has hit a new high.
More people are turning to meal programs as well as food banks, but at the same time organizations say donations are drying up.
In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, Our Place Society served 100,000 more meals than the year before.
“We are seeing more seniors, people struggling with health care costs and housing costs. We’re seeing younger people that can’t find jobs and we’re seeing more people on the street,” said Don Evans, executive director of Our Place.
More volunteers, food and resources are being used.
Food banks are feeling the same pinch, as more and more islanders struggle.
“We’ve increased our volunteers and hired more staffing positions, but I think we have a long way to go,” Brent Palmer with Mustard Seed said.
As many food service providers are facing skyrocketing demand in the capital region, it seems donations are tanking. And some are pointing a finger of blame at tent city.
In each of the last three months, donations for Our Place Society have fallen by $50,000.
Administrators say calls and emails indicate frustration with the courthouse encampment.
“I think people were starting to feel that there was some entitlement, that there was some violence growing there, there were some issues with the neighbourhood and people were struggling to support it,” Evans told CTV News.
Our Place organizers are hopeful donations will bounce back when tent city is shut down.
You can find more information on how to donate to Our Place here.
If you would like more information on local food banks click here.
