Saskatchewan food banks are trying to raise $6 million to support an anticipated increase in demand in the coming months due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The province has 32 food banks supporting approximately 40,000 people, on average, a month. In Saskatoon, the food bank was previously helping 20,000 users a month and making 8,000 food hampers.
That number is expected to skyrocket due to layoffs from the pandemic. “We’re forecasting a 25 per cent increase but thinking we might have to go up to a 50 per cent increase,” said Laurie O’Connor, executive director of the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. [ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ] “I have heard from colleagues across the country that