P.E.I. food banks stocking up before cash-strapped students come back to class

Food banks on Prince Edward Island are preparing for a big spike in demand as thousands of students return to classrooms this fall.

Sister Susan Kidd runs the University of Prince Edward Island Chaplaincy Centre, where the Charlottetown campus's food bank is located, and she says more post-secondary students are in need than in previous years.

"It's higher every year. Every month is practically higher," Kidd said.

"My expectation is [that] again in September, the numbers will increase. They were increased, probably, by 50 per cent this summer compared to last summer."

The food bank takes food and financial donations in order to keep its shelves stocked, and is open to students Wednesday afternoons between 2 and 6 p.m.  

With the money from financial donations, a student goes grocery shopping to stock up the food bank. Kidd says the food bank spends roughly $1,000 a week on groceries and the demand is rising.

From May to the end of August, more than 900 students accessed the food bank, up from roughly 600 students last summer.

Kidd said they could see 100 students per week when school is back in session, as students pay for essentials like tuition, first and last month's rent, books, supplies and more.

Mike MacDonald, the CEO of the Upper Room Food Bank in Charlottetown, said he's seen a 26 per cent increase over last year. 

He said the new school year marks "the start to our busy season," driving up demand at food banks across the province.

"It just keeps getting busier and busier, right until next spring," he said. 

"We do know that it's a difficult time not only for people coming to the food bank, but donors have less money, disposable money, to donate. We don't have high expectations, but we are hoping that if individuals are hoping to give, that they do consider their local food banks."

Looking at the rate of inflation and the high cost of gas and home heating, MacDonald said he doesn't anticipate the demand going down anytime soon — especially for students who are already on a tight budget.

"The number of students that use the food bank continues to rise," he said. "Education is expensive. They're certainly struggling with their food, and their rent and other things. We certainly do see students coming into the food bank."