Food bank users in N.S. left empty-handed as high cost of fuel strains donators

Paul Hollingsworth takes a closer look at how growing costs amid the global energy crisis are impacting food banks in Dartmouth, N.S.

DARTMOUTH, N.S. - Doris Pettipas uses the food bank at Christ Church in Dartmouth, N.S. on a regular basis, but on Monday morning the community fridge and pantry were both bare, leaving her empty-handed.

“I will just go to a different food bank,” said Pettipas.

Rev. Kyle Wagner is the pastor at Christ Church which operates the food bank.

“We see 400 people approximately every week, plus another 150 people for Sunday meals,” said Wagner. He added that the high cost of fuel over the past two months has put a lot of people in the community in a financial pinch, which has resulted in a decrease in food donations.

“People that live here and come to church are on a fixed income,” said Wagner. “Things are more expensive and to give like they would normally like to, is not as easy as has been in the past.”

There are similar pressures at the Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank in Halifax, where there are growing fears that the high cost of fuel could limit food delivery to people who need it most.

“We deliver food once a week, and we have volunteers to do that,” said Brigitte MacInnes who is the director of Donor Relations and Communications. “Volunteers use their own money for gas right now and with gas prices going up, that could see us lose those volunteers because they can’t afford to drive anymore.”

MacInnes said rising fuel prices have put added pressure on the food bank to ramp up fundraising

According to Wagner, the trend of high energy prices has placed a major strain on the church’s operational budget, which by extension could impact the future of the foodbank.

“Out oil is up $500 a month and electricity is about $150,” said Wagner. “That’s significant when you are trying to run a church throughout the week, and also a hall that serves as a food bank and a community centre.”

Wagner said he is trying to find ways to make things more affordable. He would like to install heat pumps at the church and introduce other high efficiency options. However, switching to those options cost money at a time when he does not have a lot to spend.