The number of people using the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank has increased from last year and current economic conditions are believed to be the reason.
From January to August 2021, a total of 465 people, 323 adults and 142 children, were served by the food bank. From January to August 2022, a total of 602 people, 420 adults and 182 children were served. This represents an overall increase of 29.5 per cent between last year and this year.
In addition to the increase in requests for help, the cost of food has also increased significantly. Last year, for the first five months of the fiscal year, April 1 through August 30, total direct food purchases were $30,335. This year, for the first five months, from April to August 2022, total purchases were $52,385, an increase of 72.7 per cent.
Inflation, and the resulting higher cost of food is blamed for the increase of people needing assistance from the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank.
