A Vancouver charity is sounding the alarm about growing food insecurity as it sees a surge in demand for its emergency food hamper service.

The Union Gospel Mission launched its food hamper program early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the program, eligible clients can pick up a package of things like pasta, sauce, beans and other pantry staples, along with a grocery store gift card, up to four times a year.

UGM spokesperson Nick Wells said in 2020 the program handed out 1,200 hampers, but that the need has since grown exponentially.

“This year, as of June, we’ve already given out 4,200, so we’re on pace to crack more than 8,000 this year, which is a startling trend,” he said.

“I think it really speaks to the kind of food insecurity and the rising food costs that we’re witnessing not

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