It's unfortunately an issue that never fully goes away, but the Okotoks Food Bank finds itself even lower than usual on non-perishables as the Summer comes to a close.

Executive Director Sheila Hughes says despite their last fundraiser that completely filled the Food Bank's shelves, donations are needed now more than ever.

"Our May Food Drive was really, really successful, we got over 10,00 lbs of food," she says. "We've already pretty much depleted those stores, so we really need our community's help in re-packing our warehouse's shelves."

Hughes says with more Albertans losing their jobs, the Food Bank has seen a rather large spike in numbers.

"We've had a 50 per cent increase across the board in the last four or five months," she says. "We're finding a lot of the people who are using the Food Bank have never had to come before. With the economic downturn in the oil industry, it's really affected the people in our area."

Hughes says she hopes the call for help won't deter those who can't put food on the table from using the Food Bank's services.

"We want to make sure when we're putting these calls out for food and asking for food donations, people who really need our help don't think they shouldn't come and receive a food hamper," she says. "We want to make sure people know we're here to help them, we're here to help support them, and we supply emergency food for everyone who's in need."

The "Kraft Dinner shelf" at the Okotoks Food Bank is normally full, but after seeing a large increase in people using the Food Bank, it's now nearly bare.

Hughes says the most telling sign of the Food Bank's struggles is the fact that they're almost out of Kraft Dinner and canned soup—something she hasn't seen before.

She says the Food Bank also buys food with money they receive through monetary donations, but those funds can dry up fast if they don't receive enough food donations.

According to the Food Bank, these are the items that are needed the most:

1. Canned Soups
2. Canned Vegetables & Fruit
3. Canned Pasta and Beans (baked and others)
4. Boxed Mac & Cheese
5. Dry Pasta
6. Juice (1 litre & singles)
7. School lunch items (single serve items, crackers & cheese/peanut butter/tuna, granola bars, trail mix)
8. Toilet paper and Toiletries
9. Diapers & Baby Wipes
10. Paper towels, garbage bags, foil, Ziploc bags, etc

Donations can be dropped off in bins at the Okotoks Sobeys and Safeway.

Larger donations can be dropped off at the Okotoks Food Bank by appointment by calling 403-651-6629, and monetary donations can be mailed to Box 942, Okotoks, AB T1S 1B1.

The Food Bank will be on site at the Okotoks Show 'N Shine on Sunday collecting donations as well.

More information can be found on the Food Bank's website or Facebook page.