Members of the local Scouts will take part in the 15th annual Hike For Hunger on Saturday.
They'll be meeting at Tecumseh Park at 11 a.m., and will load backpacks and wagons with food donations, then walk them just over one kilometre to the Inn of the Good Shepherd on John Street.
Inn Executive Director Myles Vanni said they're seeing about 2,200 people per month now in the foodbank, which is a nearly 25 per cent increase over last year.
"We're seeing more people come in and, at the same time, donations are down," said Vanni. "Thanksgiving events brought in half of what we normally have, and Christmas was just over half of what we'd normally receive in food donations. So, people who would normally donate are also feeling that pinch from the cost of food."
Vanni said Hike For Hunger has brought in about 60 thousand pounds of food over the years.
"The kids have been collecting food in their neighbourhoods and with their families since before Christmas," said Vanni. "A lot of our donations are really quiet after Christmas, and we've used up a lot of food that came in over Christmas. Having something in February to bring additional food in is very important. It's good timing to kind of fill that little gap."
Vanni said the visual component of the initiative is an important one.
"They're parading down the street, and police escort them," he said. "They've got their flags and their wagons. It's a really good visual thing, and it's a really good impression for the kids. Some of the groups come in advance and tour the Inn and we talk about what the community needs and what hunger is like. It's great to see the kids respond."
The Inn of the Good Shepherd helps around 950 households a month with food, feeding over 700 children.
