Food bank demand on rise in southern Alberta communities

Food banks in smaller communities around southern Alberta are seeing a spike in demand.

Demand at the food bank in Claresholm, 130 kilometres south of Calgary, is up almost 15 per cent, said president Mable Both.

• Calgary Food Bank demand on the rise

"There's a lot of people who move down here from Calgary, High River, where it's costly for them to live. And by the time they pay their rent, utilities and other deposits, they just don't have any money," Both said.

The food bank in Airdrie,just north of Calgary, is also busier.

"Many more families in our communities are struggling," said executive director Lori McRitchie, who noted that 47 per cent of the clients are children.

"And so you have to choose between whether you're going to drive to work, fix your car or you're going to feed your family. School fees went up and that impacted families."

McRitchie said there has also been a dramatic increase in the number of schools requesting breakfasts and lunches for children in need this year.

The AirdrieFood Bank now provides gift cards to schools so they can buy fresh food such as milk, yogurt and fruit.

Last week, officials at the Calgary Food Bank told CBC News demand was up by about 10 per cent over last year.