Despite an improving economy, there still are record numbers turning out to Greater Sudbury food banks, Dan Xilon said.

He is administrator for Sudbury Food Banks and was present at the 20th annual Downtown Rotary Blues For Food charity fundraiser held on Durham Street June 19. The event, which features a number of local blues bands and headliners, Jake and the Fundamentals from North Bay, continued until 8 p.m.  Admission was by non-perishable food item or cash donation.

“Demand for our food services continues to rise,” he said. “We feed 14,500 people per month through our food services such as the soup kitchen or from our food banks,” he added. That is up by 1,200 per month from last year, he added.

Xilon said the strike by Steelworkers Local 6500 has hurt many families other then the strikers themselves.
“It is the people who have been laid off from companies serving Vale that our using our services. Local 6500 families have their own union food bank.”

Seniors who are paying increasingly higher rents are also feeling the money squeeze and using food services, Xilon added.

That is why the Blues For Food event is so important to the Sudbury Food Bank.
“Last year we raised $49,000 in non-perishable food and cash-about $31,000 of that was cash,” he said.
“I hope we can do the same this year considering the state of the local economy,” he said at noon.

Already people were collecting to hear the second band of the day The Sulfer City Blues Band, playing just after Sunnyside Paris.

The schedule for the day included:

1 p.m. Hipshake
2 p.m. The Groove
3 p.m. Tommy Fyfe and the Whiskey River Blues Band
4 p.m. The Broadcasters
5 p.m. Bluez Brotherz Showband and Revue
6 p.m. Jake and The Fundamentals

There was also a family stage with children entertainers The Amazing Rene Master Magician, Music by Jake, Arts North Dance Ensemble and Sudbury Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Xilon said the event uses about 110 volunteers.
“This year we are lucky to have all the volunteers we need, enough to give some of them a break on their shifts.

As of noon, corporate donations were $1,000 from Xstrata, $2,000 from Manitoulin Transport and $1,000 from Vale. Xilon expected more as the day continued.

He was also selling Blues For Food water bottles for a donation of $10.
“We will continue to sell them at out office this year at 634 Notre Dame Ave., week days 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or phone 671-9663.” You can also visit www.sudburyfoodbank.ca