Hampered: Here's why demand is far ahead of supply at N.L. food banks
CBC
Food bank operators in Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland say they're already coping with an increased demand going into the holiday season, including from families and young people unable to keep up with the rising cost of food.
At Bridges to Hope in St. John's, manager Jody Williams says the phone hasn't stopped ringing. He said the food bank will register about 350 people for food hampers this fall, and expects the number to go higher in the coming weeks.
"Just last Friday, we had, like, nine or 10 people who have never been to a food bank before, new clients to the food bank. And I'm pretty sure in the five years I've been here, that's the most I've ever seen in one day," Williams told CBC Radio's Crosstalk Monday.
"We're heading into Christmas, this for us is our biggest demand time of year…I have never seen the phone so busy. It's just ringing off the hook, asking when is registration coming."
Michelle Daye, who works with the Grand Falls-Windsor and Bishop's Falls Community Food Bank, said central and western Newfoundland operators are reporting similar scenes.
"That's a bit alarming," Daye told Newfoundland Morning.
"So I anticipate that we will probably be way above the need this year than we were last year…The reasons are varied, but the increase in the need is definitely there and happening."
But as usage goes up, Williams says food donations are also going down.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams says donations of food have plunged 80 per cent. He attributes part of the drop to the move to working at home, resulting in fewer food drives at schools and businesses.
Fewer donations have forced Bridges to Hope to buy the majority of food at its bank. Rising food prices mean the buying power is limited.
"It's already been challenging as it is, so it creates a bit of fear," he said.
"We experience the same obstacles as our clients. As an organization we also are like wondering where the food's coming from next, where's are next bit of money coming from to get food," he said.
"So it's easy to relate to our clients, let's say."
According to Food First NL, food prices have gone up around five per cent in 2021.
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