The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

raÂ¥ Need greater than ever as food bank launches Thanksgiving campaign s the Food Bank of Waterloo Region AJg;ts set to launch its annual anksgiving Food Drive, statistics show the need is greater than ever with more working poor accessing the service. Through the first six months of 2002, groups supported by the food bank have shown an increase of 20 per cent in the number of individuals seeking food assisâ€" tance while working full time. The numâ€" ber of those with partâ€"time employment seeking food bank e help has grown by 17 o alf per cent. § While food bank ns officials were aware Een Bm that a significant w * *u portion of food withâ€" «en ; drawals were being * 3 made by the working poor, they didn‘t [ fl/ expect the :jieman.d s to grow as dramatiâ€" S“;;i,u;:':"d cally during supposâ€" executive director edly good economic times. They argue that while some segments of the econoâ€" my continue to prosper, others continue to play catchâ€"up. Particularly hard hit are the unskilled, minimumâ€"wage workers. "These numberswould indicate that more people are finding jobs, but at the low end of the wage scale," said Sean Strickland, executive director of the local food bank. "They‘re simply not earning enough to feed their families." A minimum wage that has not been increased since the early ‘90s and the lack of affordable housing continue to be the big culprits in driving the working poor to access emergency food help. "It really makes it difficult," said food bank public relations officer Fred Lehmann. "You have to pay the rent, and with whatever‘s leftover you have to put food on the table. "Imagine the dilemma the parents are in. They have to decide to pay the rent or put food on the table. How do you explain WATERLOQ CHRONICLE By Bos VrBANAC Chronicle Staff Continued on page 2 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2002 + WATERLOO, ONTARIO Erin Cullen, a fitness instructor with Waterloo Women‘s Club, led an outdoor aerobics class in the courtâ€" yard of Waterloo Town Square recently in support of the Lung Association and in preparation for the Hike for Life, which will be held Oct. 6 at Laurel Creek Conservation Area in Waterloo. Participants of Sunday‘s event will enjoy a funâ€"filled family day with a walk in the woods, complimentary barbeque and entertainâ€" ment including a celebrity Tâ€"shirt auction and draw prizes. Pledge forms are available by calling the Lung Association at 886â€"8100. Serving your community since 1856 â€" Takin‘ it outside $1 INCLUDING GST DEBORAH CRANDALL PHOTO lcanada.«â€"com| Program teaches seniors the ins and outs of computers. Viewpoint You said it Local doctor Ray McMurchy retires after 60 years. .. _ Saab of Kitchener Waterloo 663 Victoria St. N. 744â€"5811 Bast Napoleon The Great Home Store* the Discovery Centre* Gizmos* Vac Connection* WHAT‘S INSIDE *Selected Distribution INSFHRIS PFEOPTI Page 10 Page 3