The Winkler and District Food Cupboard has seen the number of families passing through their doors each week double in the past year.
Milt Olfert, Chair of the food cupboard, says it was last year around this time usage began to go up. Last fall, they were assisting around 75 families each week, and now that number is closer to 160 families.
As for what to expect going forward.
"I think it'll be an ebb and flow (situation)," said Olfert. "But, we'd really like to see it (client numbers) go down. We really like to see people be able to be self-sufficient...But seeing what's happening in our country and our world with the rising costs, and rising interest rates, it puts a lot of taxes on people's income that's coming in, and that doesn't go very far."
Olfert says items like cooking oil, rice, and canned vegetables are items they're always in need of.
"Any little bit counts. A couple of extra cans if you go into a grocery store and you see something's on sale," said Olfert. "Especially non-perishables. We can definitely use that. Canned vegetables and canned meat are great."
Olfert says they want to ensure they have essential groceries for all of their clients.
"We also have food rescue where we get food from the grocery stores," Olfert added. "Some (groceries) are almost at the best before date, or they're damaged goods. So those are extras that we can give out. But we want to make sure our clients can get pasta, rice, flour, sugar, cooking oil, luncheon meats for the kids, vegetables, and those kinds of things. So those are the things that we buy."
Olfert says they're very thankful for the upcoming 'Thanks for Giving Run', and regional youth drive, headed by FCC happening on October 4th.
Typically, the 'Thanks for Giving run' raises in excess of $10,000 for the Winkler and District Food Cupboard.