‘Tis the season for giving and southern Alberta food banks need all the help they can get.
“We’re expecting to serve 500 more households than we normally do,” Danielle McIntyre, executive director of the Interfaith Food Bank, said.
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The decline in the Alberta economy has driven many households to rely on the food bank for weekly groceries.
“We’ve had, on average, every single month – each food bank here in Lethbridge has had about 100 more households that were serving,” McIntyre said.
“With adding the Salvation Army Families in as well, as another drop of refugees, we are expecting to do a lot more families this Christmas.”
The Taber Food Bank is expecting to see a small drop in hampers from 300 last year to 250 this year. The dip in demand stems from regular clients relocating to bigger centres.
“You’re going to find more jobs available in the bigger cities,” Kathy Boersma, manager of the Taber Food Bank Society, said. “Whether in the malls or in the stores, whatever it may be, but there is more availability than in small towns.”
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However, both the Lethbridge Interfaith Food Bank and Taber Food Bank said they are always amazed by the community’s support.
“We do know that our supporters’ pockets are being pinched right now too and so it’s a little bit harder of a go,” McIntyre said. “But, we’re confident that the community is going to come together for us. They always do.”
“It’ll be a little bit more work but we will get it done.”
“It’s amazing even in tough times,” Boersma said. “When people know there’s a need, people give.”
McIntyre said you can help local food banks this holiday season by asking your dinner party guests to bring food donations instead of gifts, or donating cash to food banks in your name.