Feed N.L. Day: Giving continues as CBC N.L. helps raise $150K for food banks

Community Food Sharing Association's Wanda Hillier, Sandra Milmore and Judy Peddle were on deck for the annual Feed N.L. campaign event at the Avalon Mall on Friday evening. (Sarah Antle/CBC)

CBC Newfoundland and Labrador has partnered with the Community Food Sharing Association and so far has helped raise $150,769 for Feed N.L. campaign in a time when more people are turning to food banks.

Food banks are seeing increased demand across the province and country. A recent report by Food Banks Canada found food bank visits in March had risen 12 per cent over March 2022 and 44 per cent increase over March 2019.

On Friday, CBC N.L. hosted a live broadcast from the Avalon Mall in St. John's, where the public could make donations. Donations are also being accepted for the rest of the month.

The broadcast featured musical performances by the Black Heritage Gospel Choir with Racquel Thomas and Chelsea Chukwu.

Donations came in big and small forms. Some of the bigger donations came from Wheaton Precious Metals, who gave $35,000, while Cenovus Energy and Vale Newfoundland and Labrador donated $20,000 each. Youth development organization 4-H Newfoundland and Labrador gave $2,000 and Fortis gave $5,000.

S&S Supply Ltd/Crosstown Rentals, on behalf of the Bradley R. Smith Foundation, also donated $20,000. Jonathan Tucker said he was moved to do this in memory of his late uncle, Smith, who was a longtime food bank supporter.

All the money being raised goes to the Community Food Sharing Association, which supplies 60 food banks across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tina Bishop, Community Food Sharing Association’s general manager, said there has been an increase in people using food banks. (St. John's Morning Show)

Tina Bishop, Community Food Sharing Association's general manager, said there has been an increase in food bank demands.

"The need this year just seems to be exploding. We've got food banks this year reporting 100 per cent increase in the number of Christmas hamper registrations that they've taken this year," Bishop told CBC News.

A wide demographic of people use their services, she said. Food bank workers are also seeing more working families who can't make ends meet — along with more seniors, Bishop added.

What's driving hunger

Jim Crockwell of McMorran Community Centre said they operate a food bank a couple days of the week.

"We help them out when times are tough," said Crockwell, who noted the service is becoming even more important as more people struggle with food security in recent years.

To Bishop, the driving force behind this increasing reliance of food banks is multifold. Prices across the board are increasing, from food, rent and medical expenses.

She added she was particularly concerned for seniors who live on a fixed income, and how they're challenged by the rising cost of living.

Black Heritage Gospel Choir with Racquel Thomas and Chelsea Chukwu performed throughout Friday's CBC N.L.'s live broadcast from the Avalon Mall in St. John's. (Sarah Antle/CBC)

On the other end of the spectrum are children, Bishop said, and her peers are seeing them relying on food banks more. When students are in school, they can avail of the school programs for meals. But with them being home for holidays, that puts more strain on a family's resources.

Need for donations

Kerri Abbott, chair for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Carbonear, called the holiday season a "bittersweet time of year" because they see their usual clients in one weekend.

The food bank has necessities like apples and oranges, she said, as well as bread, eggs, yogurt, packed hampers and turkey dinners, among other items. Some of those items, like apples and eggs, can be expensive.

"They get it from us. We try to get it on a regular basis, especially Christmas," said Abbott.

She added some people come in looking for help for their pets, adding this year Pet Valu did up treat bags for her food bank to give out.

"We're all struggling," said Abbott, who noted she knew of people who are turning their home heat off to afford food. She said she recently spoke with a man who had started wearing his Skidoo suit inside so he could turn off the heat to save money so he could drive during the holidays.

Heather Hillier, a shelter veterinarian with the City of St. John's Humane Services, asked people to carefully consider whether the holiday season is the right time to adopt a pet. (Sarah Antle/CBC)

"We talk about poor. We talk about people who are at risk of homelessness. But it's like an abstract idea," said Abbott. "So we know the faces."

Rising costs for all

At the same time people are using food banks more, Bishop noted that both food and financial donations are down compared to other years.

She said she and her colleagues often would see people come to their office and drop off a bag of food as frequently once a month. Such a donation would maybe cost $20, but now people can't afford to donate even that, she said.

And money also isn't going as far as it used to. Only a few years ago, Bishop said they could leverage a $10 donation for $400 worth of food. But now that same donation goes half as far, and food banks also need more money to keep up with rising costs.

The Feed N.L. campaign carries on until the end of the month. People can donate at the CBC website at cbc.ca/bekind or contact the Community Food Sharing Association to donate to a specific community or food bank you would like to support.

CBC N.L. will be open for donations until Dec. 31.

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