MOOSE JAW, Sask. 鈥� Jason Moore was prepared to cut hampers in half at the food bank in Moose Jaw, Sask.
About 800 households in the city west of Regina require assistance every month, double from two years ago. In late July, the food bank's executive director was worried there wasn鈥檛 enough food to meet demand, forcing him to plead for help in an open letter he posted on social media.
His calls were answered.
Moore said more than $50,000 in donations has flowed in as of mid-August, allowing clients to continue to receive two hampers per month, not one.
鈥淚 was feeling pretty sick and this is just a huge sense of relief,鈥� he said.
鈥淚鈥檝e watched time and time again how Moose Jaw has pulled through for our community and this was no exception. It鈥檚 beautiful to see.鈥�
He said there have been donations big and small, from residents, companies and other organizations. Various fundraisers have also been planned, including a march throughout the city and an auction for a wooden sculpture carved into a tree trunk.
Moore said his facility received 21 pallets of goods from other food banks.
The province has also promised $2 million over the next two years for Saskatchewan food banks, with some of those dollars earmarked for Moose Jaw.
Moore said residents didn鈥檛 know about the dire situation until he made his call for help.
鈥淭hree years ago, a busy day was handing out 20 to 30 hampers and now it鈥檚 over 80 in a day. How did that happen in just three years?鈥� he said.
鈥淣ow that they are aware, we鈥檙e already seeing a huge amount of support.鈥�
Moore said other food bank drives are planned in the coming months to stock supplies for next year, including the annual Halloween fundraiser.
Those who manage food banks in Canada say a spike in demand over the last few years is due to higher grocery prices, rent increases and other pressures affecting the cost of living.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2024.
鈥� By Jeremy Simes in Regina.
The Canadian Press
