Food Banks BC is already experiencing a surge in demand across its branches throughout the province, according to executive director Laura Lansink.

And the number of people coming to them for assistance is only expected to increase.

鈥淚n our 100 food banks in B.C., we鈥檙e making daily inquiries, asking our food banks for updates on the circumstances as far as volunteers, food and funding go. They鈥檙e reporting back that the numbers are already increasing significantly,鈥� she said.

鈥淭he numbers are already growing and they鈥檒l keep growing, not just in this immediate moment but this will have lasting repercussions for the food banks all across our province for another year or two as we come to terms with this.鈥�

In order to prepare, Lansink said Food Banks BC is working very closely with retail partners to fill their shelves.

鈥淲e鈥檙e dealing a lot with Save On Foods, they鈥檝e been a great partner to us. They鈥檙e prioritizing our orders because as you know, shelves are being emptied out of our local stores and that means that food banks may not always get the food they need for the clients in their communities.鈥�

She said as people try to protect their families and take care of their needs, food donations have decreased. She added that people who usually donate money to them are now out of jobs and simply can鈥檛 afford to help them out.

But besides struggling to fill their shelves, Lansink said they鈥檙e also struggling on the volunteer front.

鈥淎bout half of our food banks in B.C. are run completely by volunteers鈥� and these volunteers are mostly elderly people, and these are the high-risk folks who have to stay home. So we鈥檙e seeing now our operations on a skeleton basis. The food banks really have been emptied out and the staff are having to fill all roles,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how long they can keep that up because they鈥檙e working hard and we鈥檙e committed to staying open and being there for every community, but it鈥檚 a very challenging time right now.鈥�

She said branches throughout the province have also implemented social distancing to keep volunteers and clients safe. She said some branches have a drive-thru service, others deliver pre-packaged hampers to clients鈥� cars in the parking lot, as well as home delivery.

Lansink added they鈥檙e open to food and monetary donations, as well as volunteers.

鈥淐onnect with your local food bank, give them a call and see what they need. Go down and help. If you can鈥檛 go out and volunteer, you can donate to Food Banks BC, and that money will go straight to our food banks so they can keep their doors open.鈥�

For online donations and to locate the nearest food bank near you, visit website.

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