A report says more seniors and single people are using food banks in the province and the manager of the North Bay Food Bank isn’t surprised.

The Ontario Association of Food Banks says the number of seniors jumped by 35 per cent over last year.

Amber Livingstone says seniors live on a fixed income and costs are always rising for things like groceries, hydro, gas and now water usage.

The association says singles now account for almost half of all food bank visits, an 11 per cent increase over five years and the highest number on record.

Livingstone says perception is that families use the food bank and that’s true but they see more single clients than family clients and always have.

Livingstone estimates over half their clients are single people.

Meantime, a fun holiday event takes place this weekend at Burrows Country Store and Garden Centre.

Livingstone says the event, called a Cookie Walk will be from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday.

She says it’s a “fun-raiser” for the food bank, that’s without the “d”, but cookies sold will benefit the food bank.

She says there were be some live music from members of the North Bay Symphony and the Ukelele Club will be involved as well.

She says any cookies not sold will be purchased by community members so the food bank can benefit.