After collecting kids' clothing for the past month, Essex Town Councillor Sherry Bondy is inviting the public to an event on Saturday.
The Windsor Essex Community Art Project is holding a free kids' clothing swap.
The Essex Centre Masonic Lodge is at 30 Laird Street in Essex Centre, and the swap is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Times are hard. People are struggling, but clothing our kids should be something that's easy," said Bondy.
Bonnie Porteous with WECAP said there's also household goods, including bedding, available, and what doesn't go on Saturday will be offered at an upcoming event in Kingsville.
Some reports indicate times are, indeed, difficult for many.
Statistics Canada released its Consumer Price Index report earlier this week, showing an inflation rate of 8.1 per cent in June. Of the eight categories it monitors, costs increased in seven. Canadians are spending more on gas and food, leaving less for other expenses, like kids' clothing.
New data from Food Banks Canada suggests rising inflation and housing costs have left 7-million Canadians hungry.
"This summer will be the toughest Canada's food banks have ever experienced in our 41-year history," said CEO Kirstin Beardsley. "The majority of food banks in every region of Canada are already stretched to their limits, with demand expected to remain high throughout the summer months."
The data released on June 6 said one in three Canadians who earn less than $50,000 a year said they didn't have enough money for food during the pandemic, but inflation hasn't just hit lower income earners.
"The reasons why people say they are coming to food banks is changing," added Beardsley. "In the past, people would turn to food banks during times of job loss or due to lower wages, but over the past six months, Canadians are telling us that they are running out of money for food because of rising housing, gas, energy and food costs."
Statistics Canada said wages are rising. The average hourly wage rose 5.2 per cent in June from the year before, but the pace of growth is outpaced by inflation.
Earlier this summer, Bondy helped coordinate similar clothing swaps in Harrow and McGregor.