Hamilton food banks desperate
December 22, 2008
Dana Brown
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/485575
Hamilton's food banks have seen a significant jump in holiday need due to the worsening economic climate.
And while several say they'll be able to meet demand, they're counting on the community to help them weather tough times.
"This isn't the first recession we've been through and ... the community usually finds a way to dig deep in some fashion or another," said Alan Whittle, director of community relations and planning for Good Shepherd.
This year alone, the organization has had about 14 per cent more people using its food bank. For the Christmas program there has been a 33 per cent increase.
"I think part of it is that we're really just beginning to see the impact of the recession on people," he said.
Canon Wendy Roy, executive director at St. Matthew's House, said that things are going out as fast as they are coming in.
At the Salvation Army, 500 new families have signed up for the Christmas campaign, bringing the total to 2,000 families.
The Salvation Army is "really cutting it close" when it comes to providing for those in need this year, said Jennifer Kellner, administrative manager and major gifts officer.
The target for the kettle campaign is $550,000, but as of Friday, only $406,000 had been raised.
"That target was set before (the) increase in registration. So even if we meet our financial target, that's still well below what the actual need is for this Christmas," Kellner said.
Joanne Santucci, executive director of Hamilton Food Share, said among the nine agencies the organization supplies, there has been about a 15 per cent increase in need, on average. A lot of the agencies are pretty much on par with last year in terms of donations.
"There's no reason why you can't give this holiday season, because even a dollar will help, even a can will help," she said.
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