Saskatchewan food banks launch their holiday campaigns

It’s the season for giving, and Saskatchewan food banks are accepting donations to give back to those who need it most.

The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre and Regina Food Bank have both launched their annual holiday campaigns to lend a hand to families this season.

“Light it Up”

The Saskatoon food bank’s annual holiday campaign “Light it Up” will take place until Dec. 31.

Laurie O’Connor, the food bank’s executive director, said this year is one of the more difficult winters for vulnerable and struggling individuals in the Saskatoon community.

“We’ve already seen a lot of heartache,” she said, noting she hopes the campaign will be able to provide support for those going into 2023.

O’Connor said this year’s campaign is about a collective action, and she encourages the community to come together to support their friends and neighbours.

According to a statement from the food bank, its goal is to get the public engaged in the campaign by partnering with businesses and organizations throughout Saskatoon. It has already seen engagement from businesses that are hosting “friendly” office competitions to raise food and money for the food bank.

“It’s a great time of year, because folks are thinking of ways they can give back,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor said food bank officials have seen an increase in visits to the food bank since January of this year. Due to the rising pressures of inflation and the COVID- 19 pandemic, she said they’re now serving more than 20,000 people monthly.

“Everyone is feeling that crunch on their budget,” she said.

She also noted more than 40 per cent of food basket requests are made on behalf of children.

“That is a really difficult statistic. We know that in our province one in four children live in poverty,” she said.

People can contribute to the “Light it Up” Campaign by visiting the food bank’s location on Avenue C South, by contributing to food bins at grocery stores throughout the city, or on the food bank’s website.

Items in demand this year are baby food and formula, canned products, whole grain pastas and cereals, and peanut butter.

“These actions will light it up in our city to make it clear that folks really care about each other,” O’Connor said.

“Hampers of Hope”

The Regina Food Bank has launched its Hampers of Hope program.

CEO John Bailey said the program allows the food bank to distribute 2,500 holiday hampers to families across the city.

The hampers – which are filled with the standard food bank products – will also include two additional holiday meals for breakfast and dinner.

Registration for the food baskets started last week, and 1,400 to 1,500 baskets have already been accounted for. Bailey said the food bank anticipates distributing all 2,500 hampers to families in need.

“Our goal is to get those hampers out the door,” he said.

Bailey said there is some seasonal fluctuation with food bank visits, but since the pandemic started, visits are constant and on the rise throughout the year.

“It’s (going to) be another busy December for us,” Bailey said.

There are a number of ways to get involved in this year’s campaign. Bailey said the most effective way is donating money.

“We can turn one dollar into three meals,” he said.

Donations can be made on the food bank’s website. For those looking to send money specifically to the campaign, the program’s sponsor, Dilawri, will match the first 150,000 meals.

Bailey said the gift of time is valuable as well, and individuals can sign up online to volunteer with the food bank.

There are non-perishable food dropoff spaces at major grocery stores across the city, which are collected by the food bank.

Both Bailey and O’Connor say they’re appreciative for the help and support they have received from their communities.