Parker Street Food Bank says its emergency fund is short

A Halifax food bank that has helped people pay bills says it's short money and is turning people away.

Parker Street Food and Furniture Bank is short about $40,000 in its emergency fund, demand for which doubled last winter, spokeswomanStephanie MacWhirtertold CBC's Maritime Noon Wednesday.

In previous years the food bank provided around $50,000 to help people pay power, oil, telephone, water, rentand medical bills in emergency situations, she said.

"Due to last year's very cold winterand long [winter], we had to dig into other funds in order to look after those that were coming to us for help," MacWhirter said.

'Everything's rising except for wages'

They ended up spending closer to $90,000 in 2015 and saw around twice as many people seeking help, she said.

"Everything's rising except for wages, it seems," MacWhirtersaid.

This year, the food bank has set aside $30,000 for power bills and $20,000 for oil bills, butexpectsthe fund to be depleted by March especially if the winter is hard, she said.

"We're already turning people away for all those other things," MacWhirter said.

Parker Street Food Bank appealed to the public last fallas well, saying donations of food had dropped drastically.

To make up the difference,the charitystarted purchasing groceriesand cut in half the amount of food each client takes home.