Food Bank stats rise with economic downturn

A spike in usage at the Tofield, Ryley and Area Food Bank since May indicates the downturn in the oil and gas industry has hit home on a local level.

Local food bank President Vivian Slugoski expected there would be a rise in the number of people needing help due to the resulting layoffs after oil prices slumped about 50 per cent since last year.

She has sent out an urgent appeal asking for food donations from the community, stating there are “no holidays for hunger in Beaver County.

“The Tofield Ryley and Area Food Bank sure could use some donations of food,” she said.
“It appears the economic slowdown has hit our county…In the last two and a half months the food bank has seen a tremendous increase in usage.” … for more see the July 28/15 Mercury