The demand for food from Madawaska Valley Food Bank is at its highest level in history.
That, from President Paul Thompson.
He says 273 people came to the Martin Street location for food last Tuesday; the highest number on record since the food bank started more than 30 year ago.
He says the number of people accessing the service has been on a steady increase since the pandemic.
“Our numbers went up with COVID and they stayed up after COVID,” he says. “Now we have probably two and half times as many people coming as we had before COVID.
“We’re getting families who are working full time and they’re just kind of running over the edge, trying to make ends meet.”
Thompson says the increased demand puts pressure on the need to bring in money and food donations. He says, with more families accessing services, there’s greater need for popular kid foods, like peanut butter.
The Madawaska Valley Food Bank can accept cash donations through its email [email protected] . Donations of food are accepted at Metro and Valu-mart, as well as Gift It Gray and Easton Accounting and Tax Services.
Another opportunity to donate is coming up. Moose FM will hold its annual Spirit of Giving Radiothon to support the Madawaska Valley Food Bank on Friday, Dec. 8 at Valu-mart and Metro.