The Bridgewater Inter Church Food Bank is in dire need after famillies were forced to pay their power bills. (CBC)

The food bank in Bridgewater says it had its busiest month ever in September after low-income families who owed money to Nova Scotia Power were told to pay off bills from last winter or risk having their power cut off this year.

The Bridgewater Inter-Church Food Bank helped 630 people in August, an increase of 15 per cent over the previous busiest month.

"Most of our clients live in low-income housing where their only source of heat is electricity and last winter they got so far behind with their oil bills and electric heat that they are still getting caught up," said Gloria Hubley, co-ordinator for the food bank.

"They were told if they didn't get paid up in August, they would not have heat this winter."

Hubley said the food bank is also seeing more people who used to work at the the Bowater Mersey Mill in the Liverpool area.

Organizers have had to reduce the amount of food each person and family receives because of the increased demand.