With summer drawing to a close and school just around the corner, local food banks are finding ways to continue to support their clients.

“Unfortunately, usage is up, which is too bad,” said Rev. Sue-Ann Ward of Grace Anglican Church, where Food with Grace serves individuals and families in need every Tuesday. “There’s more young families and more seniors that have been coming.”

Donations to the Waterdown-based food bank are at their lowest in August and September.

“We find at the end of the summer and into September is when the shelves are barest," said Ward.

Yet the demand for support remains.

This rings true in Carlisle, home to the Flamborough Food Bank.

According to Jim Leamen, the food bank’s managing director, 35 families visited on Aug. 7, including three new clients, bringing the total number of families the Flamborough Food Bank supports to 168. Last month, eight new families registered to receive assistance.

Offering supplemental support to those struggling with food security, the Flamborough Food Bank serves clients who may be working part time and simply unable to cover all of their bills or those on fixed income, such as Ontario Works.

Leamen explained that clients also include young families and seniors who may have just retired and don’t have much in the way of savings.

“We’re able to take one burden off their mind in terms of food security so I see that as being what our primary function is so if I look at anybody’s security, it’s always housing, food and clothing — (those) are the three big ones and if you can’t provide those then you leave people in desperate situations.”

While food is essential to survive, there is also a social aspect to it which is just as important, according to Ward.

“How do you have friends or family over to your home if you can’t offer them food,” she said.

Ward said she’s not sure what is causing the uptick in clients but believes the rising cost of living and housing may play a role.

“There’s a general sense of anxiety I think in our culture right now that has led to some instability and more families being on the edge,” she said.

Local food banks rely on donations from the community. They also partner with area grocers.

Food with Grace has paired up with No Frills, which donates produce that would otherwise be thrown out due to imperfections or are coming close to their expiration dates.

“We are able to pick up that food and keep it from going in the dumpster,” said Ward.

With back to school just around the corner, the Flamborough Food Bank is getting ready to outfit students from kindergarten to Grade 12 with needed school supplies through its annual backpack program. It solicits monetary donations as well as community donations of supplies to ensure each knapsack includes notebooks, pens, paper, binders and calculators — everything a young mind needs to be successful.

“We pack them full,” said Leamen, adding that last year 80 students benefited from the program.

The Flamborough Food Bank’s backpack program is supported, in part, by area churches and the Optimist Club of Carlisle. Residents and businesses are doing their part to set students up for success. Donations are accepted at the food bank, 1432 Carlisle Rd., or at Flamborough Connects, 163 Dundas St. E. Call 905-690-1036 to co-ordinate a drop-off.

Flamborough’s Ryan and Melissa Zogala of the MWR Realty Team are soliciting donations of backpacks filled with essential back-to-school items to help young clients of the Flamborough and Burlington food banks.

Bags can be dropped off by Aug. 20 at the Waterdown branch of the Hamilton Public Library (163 Dundas St. E.) or Fortinos (115 Hamilton St. N.). Pick ups are also available. Email hello@marriedwithrealestate.com or visit https://marriedwithrealestate.com/backpack-to-basics-program for a full list of basic supplies.

The Flamborough Food Bank and Food with Grace accepts donations of non-perishable food items at a variety of locations throughout the year. They include Sobeys (255 Dundas St. E.) and Fortinos and No Frills (36 Clappison Ave.).