AS INFLATION RISES SERVICES RAMP UP

MEDIAN INCOME WITHIN DISTRICT IS $30,313: DSSAB

Families that were just barely making ends meet have been pushed over the edge by inflation increasing the cost of living, said Caroline Claridge, manager of the Parry Sound Salvation Army Community and Family Services food bank.

"We're still seeing multiple new clients every week," said Claridge.

In the span of less than a week, the food bank assisted two large new families of five or more peo

ple, said Claridge.

"But we are also seeing single people too because anyone that's working one minimum wage job, that just isn't enough to live on."

According to the District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board's 2019 housing and homelessness plan update, there is a higher risk of challenges for both given income, cost of renting or purchasing within the district, and the limited number of appropriately sized units.

This has been exacerbated as the district's population increases. In 2021, the entire population of the Parry Sound district was 46,909, which represents an increase of 9.5 per cent from 2016.

As the district is made up of small rural communities where the access to groceries, community centres, and health care are far and in between, an emphasis is put on reliable transportation.

Mieke Hutchinson, manager of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, said it's unfortunate there is only one taxi company left in the community as a lot of their clients rely on taxi services.

"There are a number of people that don't have a vehicle," said Hutchinson. "A lot of people are on fixed incomes. And it's just hard to pay that extra money for gas."

The thrift store's prices remain unchanged by inflation, but their delivery fee has been raised — "just to cover the cost of gas because I think everyone knows it's difficult," said Hutchinson

Hutchinson said she knows it has been hard for the community, and that's exactly why prices haven't changed.

"We try to be as giving as we can for people in need; it's what we're all about."

The Maple Island Thrift Store in Whitestone also pledged to keep its prices "very minimal."

"We have a lot of young families that just don't have a lot of money," said volunteer Julie Hozian.

Prices in the thrift store range from cents to a few dollars depending on the item.

"It's the camaraderie of the community is what this is all about. And that's what it's always been," said Hozian.

She pointed to a recent massive donation of jewelry that all came from one individual.

"When you look at this jewelry, you know that it's going to sell in a store for an amazing amount. And we sell them for a couple of bucks."

The volunteers are just happy to see people wearing and using the items, said Hozian.

District of Parry Sound Social Services Administration Board is currently reviewing its housing and homelessness plan update.

Its 2019 report showed food banks in the area experienced a 53 per cent increase since 2016. The updated report is scheduled to be presented to the board in the next month.