There are a few people waiting to get in when the doors open at 9:30 a.m.

But due to the coronavirus pandemic only one user is permitted inside at a time at the Stoney Creek Community Food Bank and mask-wearing is mandatory.

“We have been busy,” said Ben Winter, volunteer manager of the food bank which does not have any paid staff.

Winter said the food bank feeds 166 Stoney Creek households per month, although that number dipped by about 20 or so from March to June as some users were leery about venturing out during the pandemic.

Some of their 20 volunteers have also started to trickle back.

Winter noted the pandemic has not affected donations.

Neither has the summer which can also be a slow time for donations at some city food banks.

“People have been very, very faithful,” Winter said. “The community has really pulled together on this.”

Winter noted the two Fortinos stores in Stoney Creek and the Metro store in Winona have been supplying food and they get a large delivery of canned food each week from Hamilton Food Share.

The Hamilton Tastebuds group has been supplying boxes of fresh produce and baked goods and the food bank is getting fresh produce from the Hamilton Victory Garden on Jones Road.

Then there’s smaller donations from local churches, businesses and other groups.

All food bank users must be registered.

Most are receiving some form of government assistance or are unemployed.

Winter said he doesn’t see the food bank’s location in the back of the former Stoney Creek Alliance Church  turned community centre on Highway 8 near Fruitland Road as a problem for users or donors.

He noted the building is on a bus route and the area around the food bank is getting built up.

Prior to the pandemic, food bank users could pick what they wanted from the shelves.

Now a volunteer accompanies each user and they pick the desired items.

Winter noted each user gets a one-month supply of food in the form of two food boxes (one containing frozen food) and some produce.

While the usual food bank fare has included frozen food, pasta and pasta sauce, soup, juice and canned tuna or salmon, Winter noted the community’s changing demographic has seen a greater demand for rice and lentils.

“We’re able to supply a generous amount of food for qualifying persons that come in,” Winter said.

He added the food bank can always use donations of crackers, canned fruit, canned fish, juices, rice and lentils.

Donations can be dropped off during food bank hours, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.