Children represent a large portion of clients at the Lac La Ronge Food Bank. (file photo/paNOW staff)

By Derek Cornet

Food Bank

Hunger remains an issue among tri-community residents

Feb 28, 2019 | 12:42 PM

Board members with the Lac La Ronge Food Bank are making presentations to tri-community councils about the number of hungry families seeking help at the local non-profit.

La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band councils both had regular meetings Wednesday, which food bank board members attended to inform them of some facts. At the La Ronge council meeting, Trudy Connor stated that every month, more than 5,000 pounds of food is distributed to clients. From June to November 2018, 175 hampers were given out every month, representing 438 adults and 360 children.

While the majority of people using the food bank are from the tri-communities, others come from Grandmother’s Bay, Stanley Mission and Sucker River.

“On one particularly busy day a few weeks ago, 62 hampers went out on just one day,” Connor said. “Almost half of them were under 18. Even more concerning is 93 (out of 151) of those children were under 11 years old.”

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The Lac La Ronge Food Bank has no paid staff, is a non-profit with charitable status and is part of Food Banks of Saskatchewan. Connor noted the food bank doesn’t receive any government funding or ongoing grants to assist operations. Every month, expenses at the office for rent, a telephone and food exceed $5,000.

Connor stated most donors are local residents who either contribute with food contributions or cash. With another food bank delegation set to speak next week with Air Ronge council at a regular meeting, she hopes all councils are mindful about making positive decisions to assist their clients.

“If there are other ways the councils think of that can make life somewhat easier for the people we see at the food bank, there can be less need,” Connor said. “In the bigger picture, that would the ideal.”

The delegation also wanted to make it clear the majority of clients at the food bank don’t rely on the service month-after-month. Connor stated some do, but for many it’s a last resort to make ends meet.

“Sometimes it’s a handout, but often it’s a hand up,” she said.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno