Many food banks are reporting a doubling in demand since the beginning of winter, with two-income families among those seeking help.
The Salvation Army's director of community and family services in Timaru, Edwina Herring, said demand for food parcels had increased by twothirds since the beginning of the year.
Heavy demand started before Christmas and had ‘‘gone crackers'' in the past three months, she said.
She attributed the demand to a steady rise in food and petrol prices since last year and ‘‘exorbitant'' power bills, as families tried to keep warm in uninsulated houses.
‘‘I saw one [bill] for $411 yesterday and it's not just electric - it costs $30 to fill a gas bottle.
‘‘With a lot of the people we see, they were already tight and it's just become tighter.''
Only half the people using the food bank were beneficiaries. The rest were families with at least one full-time income earner and in some cases, two full-time workers, she said.
School holidays were a particularly difficult time for single parents who normally did not have custody of their children, but took care of them during school holidays.
Although the custodial parent might be receiving a benefit, they usually did not provide money to their expartner to help with the cost of holiday care, she said.
Mrs Herring expected another surge in demand in the next few days because one power company's power bill would be sent out today.
People coming to the food bank are interviewed to find out their specific needs and encouraged to use only one food bank.
‘‘If they go between agencies, we may not get to the bottom of the issue.
‘‘We can form a relationship and give advice that addresses the root cause of their lack of money for food.
‘‘For example, it might be high medical costs caused by living in a cold, damp house.''
Most food banks swapped information to prevent people taking advantage of their services by seeking parcels from several agencies, she said.
The Salvation Army food bank relies on food from individuals, supermarkets and suppliers, and was now having to buy food every week to keep up with demand. It traded its surpluses with other food banks.
The Courier contacted other food banks operating in South Canterbury. The Salvation Army's food banks in Waimate and Temuka both reported a sharp rise in the number of people using their services since the beginning of winter.
Waimate co-ordinator Murray Wright said demand increased by about 50 per cent.
However, a supermarket food donation bin was wellsupported.
Anglican Care South Canterbury food bank co-ordinator Cath Slee said demand had almost doubled in May, forcing her to cut back the size of parcels.
However, since May, demand had returned to normal levels, she said.
St Vincent de Paul welfare officer Mary Brown said demand at their Timaru food bank had doubled since the beginning of the year.
• Donations of food can be dropped at the Salvation Army's Timaru centre at 206 Wai-Iti Rd or to arrange a donation, phone 684-7139.
