The executive director of the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre was very pleased when Huron County council voted to increase its contribution to the centre next year.
Mary Ellen Zielman was updating council this week on the activity of the centre over the past year and pointed out the need is continuing to grow in Huron County.
She said many working couples are continuing to struggle and the increasing number of seniors on fixed incomes is adding to the pressure on food banks.
"For some people it's hard to understand, just because they don't see it, but when you get involved and hear the stories, then meet with clients, life throws us a curve sometimes when you're least expecting it and these folks have worked hard and now find themselves in a difficult spot," said Zielman.
Zielman said their research shows there are some areas in the county that don't have a local grocery store, and that's a problem for people who don't have transportation, so they've launched a mobile food bank service this year.
County council voted to contribute $60,000 a year to the centre several years ago but this week voted to increase that to $66,000. That still has to be approved by the new council during budget deliberations.