Yorkton’s Salvation Army Food Bank is facing a “severe shortage of food” and needs help from the public.

“I’m putting a challenge out to people because the food bank is in dire need,” says Chaplain James Pedwell, the food bank’s intake worker.

A significant increase in the city’s “working poor” due to a growing population and climbing rent has sharply driven up demand for the food bank’s services this summer, Pedwell explains. But donations are down.

“In the summertime, people take a vacation from a lot of things—their work as well as their charities. People don’t think of the food bank until they think ‘Christmas hampers.’ … But the need is still there.”

Pedwell recently sent a fax to many of the city’s businesses challenging them to team up with their employees in support of the food bank.

“One of the companies in town here, the Cornerstone Credit Union, really rose to the occasion when that fax came. They got together enough food to do about 20 hampers.

“I’m looking at other businesses to do likewise—to get their employees involved as a way to say, ‘We care.’”

Pedwell is calling on the city’s residents to think of the food bank during their regular grocery shopping, as well.

The Salvation Army Food Bank is seeking monetary donations and nonperishable food items such as pasta, tomato sauce, cereals, and canned fruits, vegetables, and meats. Frozen meats are also accepted.

Donations can be dropped off at the Salvation Army Food Bank at 147 Booth Street or pickup can be arranged by calling 782-3580.