MOOSE JAW – Moose Jaw’s food bank is facing a potential temporary closure due to rising costs and a lack of donations this summer, which aligns with a nation-wide trend of increased food bank usage and decreased food availability affecting around 800 local households.

In response to the crisis, the food bank has reduced its hamper program from two hampers to one per household each month — a move that executive director Jason Moore is hoping to reverse as soon as he can.

“We’re hoping that… by Aug. 1, we can change that policy…,” Moore said. “We’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

The food bank is a non-profit that relies solely on limited grant funding and support from the community it serves.

Usually, through donations and annual food drives in October to November, Moose Jaw’s food bank can keep the shelves stocked until the following October. These shelves may run empty by late August this year.

“We may get lean come close to October, but we have never in 40 years of operation run out of food,” Moore said.

In June 2022, Moose Jaw’s food bank served approximately 400 households. Two years later, in June 2024, that number increased to 800.

The trend isn’t limited to Moose Jaw, Moore said. From what he’s learned, the crisis is “100 per cent the result of our economic situation.

“We’re seeing more… families come in as first-time users that are working, (but they) just cannot afford to pay the bills and buy all their groceries,” he said. “That’s an unfortunate situation our country is in.”

Now, more than ever, the food bank is asking for support from the community — although not exclusively through food donations.

“If you’re at the grocery store and you’re thinking about purchasing a can of beans… consider donating that dollar instead…,” Moore said.

Monetary donations are valuable as the food bank can use bulk purchasing power to stretch each dollar and potentially end up with more food as a result.

New shopping model

Moore is looking at a few options that can put the food bank on a better footing.

One idea is to move from a hamper-based service to a shopping model, similar to what’s now used in centres like Regina and Medicine Hat.

“We’re moving to a client choice model,” Moore announced. One thing he said is unique about the model is that it allows clients to shop for only the items they need and will use.

The system aims to reduce food waste and will provide greater variety, notably for newcomers who often rely on the food bank. They’ll soon have the option to select from the foods they’re accustomed to.

“Medicine (Hat’s food bank has shown) … that they’ve reduced food waste by 30 pounds per person annually, which would be well over 30,000 pounds of food…,” Moore explained.

To establish this system, the food bank is searching for a local contractor and Moore is asking retailers for excess shelving units and around six shopping carts.

The new service will be at the site of the current hamper pickup and should be available by Oct. 1.

Government petition

Food Banks Canada has put together a nation-wide petition and the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is asking for signatures.

“We’re asking the government to step up and provide struggling families with some benefit… that would be seen in their GST returns,” he said, summarizing the petition.

“If the government responds positively… it’ll have an immediate impact on households that are struggling… the most — low income, people with disabilities, (and) single moms…”

Moore said it’s simply a matter of signing your name and only takes one minute.

“We need the government to step up and do something or this isn’t going to end,” he added.

Moore has been working with the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank since May 1, but his previous experience as its development manager has proven insightful.

“One thing I noticed immediately was the incredible support from our community,” he said. “Moose Jaw has always stepped up every time there’s been an issue. I don’t think it’ll be any different now.”

If there’s no response, the food bank will be forced to close its doors until the next food drive in October.

“I don’t think that will be the case — I really hope that it won’t be.”

To sign the Groceries and Essentials Benefit in Canada petition, visit FoodBanksCanada.ca/Advocacy-Government-Relations/Petition.

The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West and can be reached at 306-692-2911. For more information, visit MJFoodBank.org or ‘Moose Jaw and District Food Bank’ on Facebook.