More and more people are using food banks in Bruce and Grey Counties.
Staff from the various food banks held a ‘food summit’ in Owen Sound on Monday to share their challenges and look for improvements to their service.
Demand for food hampers is up about 20 per cent this year and the stats show why.
People collect 600 dollars a month from Ontario Works when government agencies say you need at least 15 hundred dollars a month to live.
One of themes of the summit is people are spending too much money on housing — especially in Saugeen Shores and the Blue Mountains.
Simon Bain at Port Elgin Community and Family Services says the housing is geared towards Bruce Power employees and not low income earners.
Norine Baron at Beaver Valley Outreach in Thornbury says people are spending so much money on housing, there is not enough leftover to buy food.
Bain points out it’s a trend along all waterfront communities in Grey Bruce where housing is more expensive.
Neil MacDonald at the Walkerton and District Food Bank feels their clients want more than just food — they want to be heard and mentored on how to create a budget.
The ‘food summit’ was organized by the United Way of Bruce Grey.
Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn hopes by talking about the challenges, they can find solutions and help people get the services they need.