Employees from technology giant Oracle are seeing first hand the impact of economic uncertainty on a volunteer shift at the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
"People suddenly are focused inwards," says Jean-Marie Russell. "People start thinking about themselves but this time the opposite should occur... People need to look that there's a lot of unfortunate people and there's a greater need now."
Food and cash donations are down 20 per cent because of hard economic times.
"People just don't have as much disposable income as they used to," says the Food Bank's Arlene Kravitz.
All food banks around the province are seeing donations dry up. Victoria's Mustard Seed has dropped 55 per cent. Again, a faltering economy is blamed.
"On a global level we're into a bit of a financial tailspin," says Mustard Seed's Brian Palmer. "As well, as our energy costs have fluctuated so much."
Fuel costs have doubled at the Vancouver Food Bank. And for the first time in years, they've had to buy pasta to ensure the 25,000 people they help every week can eat.
The looming concern is if this continues through the holidays.
"Because that's when we make 75 to 80 per cent of what we need for the year," says Kravitz. "Then January and February are going to look a little bleak for us."
"It's pretty grim," says Palmer. "I don't want to press the panic button but in September we normally start collecting items for our Christmas hampers, and this year we've been unable to do it."
They admit it'll be a challenge to meet the increasing demand for food as more families feel the financial pain.
"If the donations go down that means people have less money and they're going to be looking to use the food banks," says Kravitz.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Mike Killeen
