Calgary Food Bank client on what it's like to get help after hitting 'rock bottom'

The Calgary Food Bank is busier than ever. It served 141,271 people last year — that means one of every nine Calgarians went there for help. Here's one client's story of what it's like to use the food bank:

When Andrea Chaisson first moved here from B.C. six years ago, she didn't even know where the food bank was located. Two years later, her boyfriend lost his job and the couple fell on hard times.

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"We really didn't know what to do. When you hit rock bottom, you don't really know it, but you can feel it creep up on you." she said.

When she finally felt she was out of options, Chaisson decided to pick up the phone and call the food bank. It wasn't easy. "I was really embarrassed and ashamed at that particular time. I had to swallow a lot of pride." 

But to her surprise, the volunteer she spoke to made her feel at ease. The phone volunteers take more than 250 calls a day.

After answering a number of questions, it was decided Chaisson met the criteria. A date was arranged so she could go and pick up a food hamper. 

The hardest part for Chaisson is lining up to collect the food: "That's where the pride kicks in, but you have to suck it up buttercup."

Food bank guidelines 

The hampers contain enough food to last between seven and 10 days and are distributed five days a week. Calgarians are eligible for up to seven hampers in a 12-month period. And every hamper meets Canada's Food Guide.

Chaisson says the volunteers at the food bank are fabulous.

"When you fall on bad times, you lose a certain level of confidence," she said. "They understand that you are only in need for this particular time."  

Chaisson says they also encourage clients to take what they need and to not give up hope.

Her advice to any potential food bank users is to give back what you can — donate money, give away any extra food or volunteer your time. "I just think that if you give back it not only helps your situation, but helps yourself."

The CBC Calgary Suncor Food Bank Drive has the same goal it has had for the past 30 years — to raise as much money as possible to feed Calgary's hungry.

The goal this year is $1 million.