The Okotoks Food Bank has been kept on its toes this year.

Food Banks Alberta has released its annual Hunger Count survey which shows that during March this year 79,293 Albertans used a food bank, the largest number of people to visit food banks in the 35 year history of food banks.

Sheila Hughes, executive director of the Okotoks Food Bank, says the number of users at the food bank continues to rise.

"Last year I believe we had 88 families that needed food hampers during the year, now this year that number increased to 128," she says. "Last year, Food Banks Canada phoned me up and were shocked at our numbers, how they increased from 2014 to now, not quite double, but it's definitely increased significantly."

The Okotoks Food Bank saw a 45% increase in the amount of users this March compared to the same time last year.

Hughes adds there's not one specific type of client she sees going through their doors.

"We couldn't say 'this type of person is a client here at the food bank'. A lot of people are employed and their hours have been cut possibly and they're just not able to pay rent, electricity and all the other things that are necessary to keep going and on top of that buy food for their family."

She says she's grateful for the community and local businesses that always go above and beyond to support the food bank.

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