Many of those reliant on the food bank to survive the winter are children, according to the Jasper Food Bank.

“Half of food bank recipients are children and that is reflected in the Jasper demographic,” said Patrick Mooney, president of the Jasper Food Bank.

Families are traditionally the key users of food banks, and according to the Campaign 2000 to end Child Poverty, 637,000 Canadian children are living in poverty as of August 2009.

Requests at the food bank have risen slightly since 2007, Mooney said, noting that there were 675 food hamper recipients in 2007/2008, and that number is up this year. He suspects that given the difficult economic times, that trend is likely to continue for Jasper.

Yet while food bank requests are up, it’s the nature of the requests that has Mooney alarmed.

“We’ve been asked for baby formula, which means these infants aren’t getting the basic nutrients for growth,” Mooney said.

The food bank is preparing to open again on Nov. 7, 2009 at the Anglican church. It will be open every Thursday evening for individuals and families in need.

The food bank offers different sized hampers for families. While individuals receive one type of hamper, families with children and the disabled on fixed incomes receive larger hampers.

“When children or those with a disability are involved, they get a fresh shop at the grocery store,” Mooney said.

Those with families are often referred to the community outreach services office, Mooney said, if they need extra services on top of the food bank.

“Coming to the food bank is a difficult decision to make. We try to make it as comfortable as possible,” Mooney said.

Despite Jasper’s reputation as an affluent tourist town, there is still a large amount of food bank usage, Mooney said. A transient population and low paying jobs contribute, as many individuals work several jobs to make ends meet.

Parents are also faced with child care restrictions. The Jasper community daycare has a waiting list, which it hopes a new facility will eliminate.

Cristin Murphy, manager of the Jasper daycare said demand has increased for daycare in town.

“We’re full. Usually we can accommodate most, but this year there is more need,” Murphy said.

The daycare has 55 licensed spaces, and about 22 children are on the wait list. It also runs an infant care program, however infants take up more spaces. There are currently 12 registrants in the infant program, which is up from previous years.

The daycare is at full staff capacity as well, but can’t expand until renovations to the activity centre are complete. 

“The renovations will help the crunch. We hope to increase the number of spaces by 20,” Murphy said.

In the meantime, parents must find other arrangements.

Parent Link has also been without a proper building for the past four months. The service, which offers a place for parents and children to play, is waiting on renovations in the provincial building to be completed. Officials have asked if the Parent Link space can be given priority in the renovations.

In the meantime, Family and Child Social Services director Kathleen Waxer said the organization is exploring the use of other spaces. 

“There are very few spaces available where we can set up and stay set up,” Waxer said, noting that there is specialized equipment needed for proper play spaces.

Throughout the summer, Parent Link programming was held outdoors and at the library.

FCSS is looking to expand its programming, running a CHIPS program – an indoor playground initiative that offers open playtime - in the multi-purpose room.

Busy schedules mean parents need flexibility in child care, Murphy said.