Food banks fundraising ahead of holidays [Video]

Students are feeling the pinch, and the University of Alberta Food Bank is looking to refill the shelves ahead of what is expected to be another record year for demand.

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The campus food bank says it has seen a 600-per-cent increase in demand in the past five years, with 242,000 pounds of food handed out last year. That’s up by 50 per cent from the previous year.

“Five years ago, food donations made up 95 percent of the food we distributed, but these days donations account for only about 50 percent of food we give out,” said Erin O’Neil, executive director of the CFB. “We’re spending about $14,000 per month to make up the difference between donations and demand.”

The food bank will be holding a Trick or Treat food drive on Saturday to restock the shelves before the holidays.

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