Tough economic times and the rising price of basic necessities are prompting more people to turn to food banks, says a report released this week.

Usage across the province has risen 13 per cent in the past year, according to information collected by the Ontario Association of Food Banks. Orangeville is no exception — there’s been a 15 per cent jump in recent months.

“I think we are seeing the effect of people, maybe not losing their jobs, but having their hours cut back,” says Diane Ellis of the Orangeville Food Bank.

“We don’t know if we’re going to see ... more and more families using the food bank because of what is going on [in the economy].”

In its Ontario Hunger Report 2008, the provincial association says a population roughly the size of Windsor (314,258) uses food banks every month. Seventy-nine per cent of Ontario food banks reported an increase over last year.

The main reason cited in the report is cumulative price increases on food and other items. It says the average family of three has seen their bills go up by more than $800 in the past year.

“We normally see somewhere between 20 to 30 households [per week]. We average about 100 in a month. The last couple of months we’ve been seeing about 35 households every week,” says Ellis.

“We generally go up in November and December and January, as people have heating bills to make due with.”

The picture is somewhat different in Grand Valley, where the CONCERN emergency food bank has seen usage drop somewhat.

“What’s been going on in our area right now is a great fluctuation,” says Sherry Wick, chair of CONCERN.“I don’t really understand the pattern.... There never seems to be a real pattern.”

Wick says the organization usually helps out six to eight households per month. In the last few months, she says demand has been between two and six.

Usage at the Shepherd’s Cupboard in Shelburne hit its highest point in April and May, when fuel prices peaked at more than $1.30 per litre.

“This is a significant impact in the community of Shelburne since many folks would have to drive some distance to get to work. People may have had to choose to put gas in the car to get a paycheck and come to food bank to get a few groceries,” says food bank representative Rev. Susan Wilson.

There were 117 individuals (37 households) at the food bank in April, up from 82 individuals (22 households) the same month a year prior.

“Certainly the number of households has increased significantly since last year. That indicates an increased number of singles coming to the food bank,” the reverend adds.

The provincial association says Ontario food banks have been finding it harder to keep their shelves stocked. Twenty-one per cent reported not having enough food to meet the demand.

Despite a plea for donations in Shelburne earlier this year, contributions have been pretty forthcoming locally.

“Givings are up and the number of people who are calling to express a desire to volunteer and help at the food bank is also up,” says Wilson. “I think that’s just incredible.

“If you’re one of the people whose job hasn’t been effected, and your one of the people whose mortgage is something you can continue to make, you can be pretty grateful about that. One response to that is to be generous.”

Numerous individuals and businesses organize food drives at this time of year. Ellis says the donations that come in between Thanksgiving and Christmas help keep the food bank going for months to come.

Store drop boxes are also busy donation spots.

“The five grocery stores in town are a major, a major contributor of food to our food bank — their drop off boxes,” she says. “I just cleared Sobey’s yesterday and somebody had cleared it the day before — it was full again.”