THUNDER BAY -- Like many other local services, the Dew Drop Inn has seen donations taking a vacation this summer.
Serving a mid-day meal since 1981, the soup kitchen sees a tradition this time of year when people head to camp and have other things on their mind than helping the hungry.
"We're not at risk that we're not going to be able to put out a meal but a lot of the staples that we depend on we're having to buy this summer," St. Andrew's Soup Kitchen president Paul Deighton said.
"Everybody thinks about other things during the summer. Summers are so short but hunger is something that occurs on a daily basis and doesn't respect the seasons."
Basics like canned beans and tomatoes, parboiled rice and sugar are needed for the Dew Drop's pantry. Condiments would also be greatly appreciated.
"During the summer it's really hot in our kitchen so we try to barbecue when we can so there's really a run on the condiments," he said.
The Dew Drop Inn is seeing a growing need in the community. Deighton said when he started with the kitchen in 1995, they served 38,000 that year. That number was more than 66,000 in 2014.
"When first started the notion that we would have 200 people on a given day other than Christmas would have stuck me as just nonsense," he said.
Donations can be dropped off at the Dew Drop, located at 294 Red River Road, anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
