The numbers are up when it comes to those in need of the services provided by the Salvation Army North Bay.
That from Major Stephanie Watkinson at the launch of this year’s Kettle campaign.
“The need is increasing, we’re seeing about 8% to 10% new families a month,” she says. “So far from January to October, we’ve seen over 3,100 individuals in the food bank.”
Watkinson says they cover West Nipissing with their food bank and other services, although she notes their Christmas assistance is just for North Bay.
She says the goal of the Kettle Campaign is $225,000.
“These are the funds that we use throughout the year to help our neighbours with basic needs,” she says. “Food is a huge need at the moment so we’re tackling a lot of food insecurity in our communities.”
They also send 20 kids to camp and also provided about 4,300 school meals from January to October.
Kettles will be set up in North Bay at Parker’s Your Independent Grocer, Sobeys, Metro (North Bay) and Walmart with another one added in December at the LCBO on Algonquin.
There is a tap payment option available and donations can also be made online.
Over the past four years, just over $800,000 has been raised through the Salvation Army North Bay’s Kettle Campaign.