Yellowknife (Mar 19/03) - The Yellowknife Food Bank returned to normal distribution numbers last Saturday.

About 68 families lined up Saturday for the free bags of soup, canned vegetables, beans and baking goods.

On Saturdays in January and February, up to 100 families had used the bank -- a 60 to 70 per cent increase in the average number since 2001.

To handle the onslaught the bank had increased its monthly operating budget from $3,500 to $4,500.

But it couldn't continue at those levels indefinitely, said Yellowknife Food Bank president Dave Ritchie.

So the food bank board was set to explore three options -- tighten up, add controls or reduce the amount of food given out.

The bank can put the review on hold now the numbers have decreased.

"It looks like it was maybe a temporary thing but we won't know for sure until next Saturday," said Ritchie, Monday morning.

Ritchie had attributed the increase to several factors, including double-dipping and new residents who needed something to hold them over to the next pay cheque.

He said the sudden decrease may mean the new residents no longer need the service and news reports earlier this month also may have increased awareness.