Image: L. Gomes / PML / Almost bare shelves at the Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford.
Food Bank

Abbotsford food bank struggling with demand as inflation, prices soar

Aug 30, 2022 | 5:00 PM

ABBOTSFORD — With the cost of living rising, people across the province are struggling to put food on the table—and the proof is in the numbers.

Taelyr Keeley, manager of food security at Archway Community Services, stated that the number of people using their services has increased by 54% since 2021.

“It’s kind of unprecedented times with inflation and then the floods that we had, and people are still recovering from that,” he said.

Keeley said donations are also at an all-time low, presumably due to inflation, so the food bank has to purchase a lot more food items in order to have them consistently available.

“Our warehouse is sitting empty right now, which is something we’re not really used to,” Keeley said. “We’re seeing a trend with a lot more families coming through.”

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Manager of food security at Archway Community Services, Taelyr Keeley.

The manager said usually, with food banks, the trend is low-income families. However, currently, Archway is seeing everyone along the income threshold. He emphasized that they have been serving a lot of seniors as well.

“Unfortunately, our government isn’t stepping in to provide more supports for people that are really struggling during these times,” Keeley said. “So, by being there to help in any way that you can, it’s helping to feed people in our community that kind of need it the most.”

He added that it will not slow down anytime soon, especially as the Christmas season will soon be approaching. Regardless, Keeley said Archway has no intention of turning people away and, furthermore, would like to assist anyone struggling to make ends meet.

“For us, we say you don’t need to ask, just show up,” he said. “We have wrap-around services available, and you don’t need to bring identification, proof of income, or anything like that.”

Donations to the Archway Food Bank can be made at www.abbotsfordfoodbank.com.