Tri-Cities food bank donations down 25 per cent

Food banks in the Tri-Cities worry they won't have enough food donations to carry them well past the new year.

While financial donations are up 10 per cent, donations of non-perishable food items are down. 

"Demand has been pretty steady, but food donations are down 20 to 25 per cent," said Roxann MacDonald, interim CEO of Share Family and Community Services. 

While both financial donations and food donations are important for food banks, they aren't equivalent. 

The Share Family and Community Services distributes food from three locations in the Tri-Cities. They give out about 6,000 items every week and if donations don't go up they will have to give out fewer items. 

"Instead of having 20 items, maybe you have 16 as you go through January," said MacDonald, "but by the end of February you become very concerned." 

The organization serves 400 households every week and 37 per cent of its clients are children. 

Currently they are looking for donations of canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meals, tuna fish, peanut butter and condiments. 

"People don't always think about it but things like pickles, mustard and ketchup. We all like those things but they are expensive and they are an extra, and if you are dealing with the basics you are counting on the food bank for something like that because you just can't afford that," said MacDonald. 

Those looking to donate can call 604-931-2451 or visit their website. 

To hear the full interview click on the audio labelled Tri-Cities food bank donations dwindle on the CBC's The Early Edition.