The La Ronge Elks donated $10,000 to the Lac La Ronge Food Bank at an Ice Wolves game earlier this month. (Facebook/Lac La Ronge Food Bank)

By Derek Cornet

hunger

Lac La Ronge Food Bank experiencing increased costs due to inflation

Dec 18, 2023 | 2:56 PM

Costs continue to climb at the Lac La Ronge Food Bank.

That’s according to the organization’s president Cheryl Norgaard, who provided documents to larongeNOW that show the average monthly operating costs for 2022-2023 were $6,900 with hampers alone coming in at $5,470 per month.

That’s a jump from $4,450 in monthly operating costs in 2017-2018 with monthly hampers during that time costing $3,260.

Norgaard mentioned the food bank currently offers 40 or so hampers a week, noting that number was even higher in the past.

“We are still trying to stick to our 40 per week and we are seeing those numbers. We have had to turn people away until the next week,” she said. “We are definitely seeing more people asking for hampers, there’s no doubt.”

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The food bank operates via donations, with some recent contributions including $10,000 for the La Ronge Elks, $10,000 from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and $5,000 from Ropka International.

The lead up to Christmas is a main fundraising time for food banks across Canada. There are several ways residents can donate to the Lac La Ronge Food Bank such as sending a cheque to Box 785, Air Ronge, S0J 1L0, or by giving a donation directly to a board member.

Donations can also be submitted by e-transfer at laclarongefb@gmail.com or through Nutrien’s campaign through Food Banks of Saskatchewan and choosing La Ronge. Those wishing to donate food items can call 306-425-9244 to arrange a time to drop of the items.

“We are very grateful for all of the support we get from this community and it just makes it possible for us to be there every month,” Norgaard said.

The Lac La Ronge Food Bank will also be proving enhanced hampers in January. Norgaard explained there is a lot of extra help during the month of December and January can be a particularly difficult time for families.

She added the food bank has also recently had a spike in interest by those wanting to volunteer with the organization.

“I am happy to report we had a number of new people step up and ask to volunteer, so we are going really well with that,” she said.

“We had our annual general meeting not very long ago in November and we have three new board members, so that’s fantastic for us. Things are really improving, and I feel confident we have a good group working with us right now.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com