THUNDER BAY — Over the more than four decades that it has operated, the Dew Drop Inn at St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church has never served as many meals as it did in 2022.
The previous record — 121,339 — was set in 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, with many more Thunder Bay residents struggling to buy food due to rising living costs, a new record of 122,760 meals was established.
Dew Drop Inn executive director Michael Quibell said Monday that because there are so many people on fixed incomes or working for less than the current living wage, he doesn't expect the demand to lessen in the coming year.
"It depends on the economy. I mean, it doesn't look promising right now. The living wage in Thunder Bay last year was $16.32. This year it's $19.72," he said. "That just means more and more people in the community are going to be struggling just to put food on the table daily."
Quibell said seniors, as well, are falling through the cracks, including those trying to get by on just CPP and OAS benefits, with no private pension income.
Many clients, he said, are in a crisis situation.
"They're a little bit nervous about their situation, but they can come here every day for a good meal, and then once a week to get the supplement bag. So they're very appreciative of that."
The supplement bags are handed out every Monday to patrons over the age of 60, who comprise about 60 per cent of the client base.
"This year we gave a quart of milk. There's always a roll of toilet paper. This week we have some bananas, a loaf of Bennett's bread, some salami, baloney, margarine, some instant coffee, a package of cookies," Quibell said.
He added that the older clients of the Dew Drop Inn have indicated that getting a few extras like these every week is a big help to them.
Quibell said he and the volunteers are grateful for the support the operation continues to receive from individuals and organizations in the city.
That support was exemplified Monday when Stephanie Kibzey of Nordmin Engineering paid an unexpected visit and brought a cheque for $30,000.
"It's to say thank you for everything that they do for our community ... We just wanted to show our appreciation," Kibzey said. "Hopefully this helps more people. You see the lineup every day of people that are coming here to use the services and the food provided."
