Photo: Smiths Falls Community Food Bank (supplied)
Summer is creating a difficult imbalance for the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank, with donations slowing while families continue to require steady support.
June statistics show 835 visits to the food bank, including 510 adults, 267 children and 58 seniors. Fourteen visitors were new, while 821 had previously used the service.
Executive Director Natalia Soteroff says community support commonly declines at this time of year.
The food bank spent $16,377.40 on food during June. It received 5,590 pounds of donated food but distributed 17,987 pounds of perishable and non-perishable products.
Volunteers also contributed 352 hours during the month.
Local growers provide an important seasonal boost as farms, community gardens and residents begin harvesting fresh food.
Soteroff says grocery-store donations remain consistent throughout the year, but individual food and financial contributions often fall during June, July and August.
The food bank’s current priority items include juice boxes, pudding or fruit cups, granola bars and fruit snacks.
Those products are especially useful for families preparing meals and snacks while children are away from school-based food programs.
The June figures show that even as the number of new clients levels off, the amount of food needed across Smiths Falls remains significant.
