Facing bare shelves and empty hampers, this food bank made an emotional appeal for help
Shelves were bare, but the community stepped up
The number of people relying on food banks is higher than ever, and the need is even greater during the holidays, say organizers.
The crew of CBC Radio's The Signal witnessed it last week, when we broadcast live from the Saint Vincent de Paul Carbonear Food Bank.
A lineup of clients began to grow outside the door, as donations rolled in for the Feed N.L. day campaign on Friday.
The day was busy as staff and volunteers handed out Christmas hampers.
Kerri Abbott, chairperson of the food bank, had earlier made a plea to the public for help through social media. The food bank didn't have the basic items for regular hampers, and nothing ahead of that day for Christmas hampers.
Abbott found herself having to turn people away who needed help. The shelves were bare and there was nothing she could do about it.
Abbott said she is dealing with clients who have to wear snowsuits in their homes because they're turning off their heat to afford food.
"How do we live in a time like this?" she said.
Longtime volunteer Mildred Fitzgerald said there's a lot of stress in trying to keep the shelves stocked due to the increase in demand
"We've been hanging by our nails all fall," she said.
Fitzgerald said she has seen an uptick in the number of clients at the food bank in the 12 years that she has been there.
"We are seeing a lot more people, a lot less food and a lot more problems," she said. "Bigger problems than we have ever had before."
'The need is just unbelievable this year'
The community responded after hearing the plea for help and stepped up to fill the shelves just in time for the Christmas hamper initiative. Powell's Supermarket also chipped in.
Valerie Morgan, Powell's Supermarket's marketing co-ordinator, told CBC News it's a hard time of year for many.
"We know that this time of year is always a time of need, but the need is just unbelievable this year, and the crew here at the food bank have been feeling it for a while," she said.
Powell's Supermarket contributed food and money to the Christmas hamper project.
Kaitlin Clarke, the food bank's communications and outreach co-ordinator, urges community members to contribute.
"Every donation counts, even if you can give one can," she said. "There was a point there where we were concerned because the amount of food that we were giving to people wasn't as much as we are used to giving out."
As clients stood in line and waited their turn, one told us he relies on the food bank because of his inability to work due to a health condition.
He said he went from contributing to the food bank to needing assistance from it.
"I worked all my life since I was 15 years old, and I went from working to needing support. You can go from being healthy and full of life one day to lying in a hospital bed the next day," he said.
"The food bank is your friend, so don't be afraid to call them."
The Feed N.L. campaign carries on until the end of the month. Donations can be made at cbc.ca/bekind or through the Community Food Sharing Association to donate to a specific food bank.
About The Signal
Every weekday, Adam Walsh starts a new conversation on The Signal. It's a show about what's on your mind now, and what people aren't talking about … yet. The Signal will make you think, smile and learn more about the place you call home.
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