Saskatoon Food Bank launches ‘Light It Up’ campaign to help those in need

The Saskatoon Food Bank launched its annual “Light It Up” campaign on Tuesday, kicking off its fundraising push for the holiday season.

The 2023 campaign got rolling with a $50,000 donation from Nutrien.

According to Laurie O’Connor, the food bank’s executive director, the goal for this holiday season is simple.

“Our goal is to raise as much as we possibly can,” she explained. “We try and stock the shelves into the new year with food and, of course, raise a major part of our budget.”

The items the food bank sees the highest demand for include baby food and formula, canned fruits and vegetables, hearty soup and stews, whole-grain pasta and cereals, canned protein options and peanut butter. Online donations are also accepted.

The head of Saskatoon’s food bank said many people are turning to the service for the first time as inflation drives up food prices. (650 CKOM file photo)

O’Connor said she hopes that with holiday shopping starting to pick up, people will keep the food bank in mind.

“We’re really asking the Saskatoon community to come together and let us know how they’re supporting folks in need and how they’re lighting it up for the people in Saskatoon,” O’Connor said.

“It’s a way for folks to refocus and think about the holiday giving they’d like to do.”

Food bank use is up significantly over the last five years, according to O’Connor.

“After about 18 months of living through increased inflation, folks are really struggling. We’re seeing about 23,000 (food bank users) per month,” she said.

“Pre-pandemic, we were probably seeing 18,000 people per month. I think across the country we’re seeing people struggling, all needing to turn to food banks.”

With the season likely to get busy, as it typically does in December, O’Connor encouraged Saskatoon residents to volunteer and help build the Christmas hampers, which will be donated to those in need.