ST. PAUL – The St. Paul & District Food Bank has seen a significant increase in the number of clients accessing services at the non-profit, as of late.
According to Larry Lambert, chair of the local food bank’s board, the food bank served 7,196 clients in 2021, and has so far served 9,548 clients in 2022, with December numbers not included in the tally.
“We would not have been able to do this without our community’s support,” he said. Lambert believes the increase in people accessing the service is a result of inflation, which affects everything from the price of food to the price of gasoline, along with other costs associated to living everyday life.
From October to November this year, Lambert said the local food bank saw an increase of around 200 adults served within one month.
“They didn’t necessarily lose their jobs, they just ran out of money,” said Lambert.
“Unfortunately, people have to get into really difficult times before they come because there’s a stigma attached to going to a food bank,” he said, explaining that people should not be sorry when asking for help.
Lambert also said that around 80 per cent of the clients the food bank serves are families.
A giving community
The St. Paul & District Food Bank is offering thanks the community and volunteers for the ongoing support the organization has received.
While the cost of living rises throughout the province, there continues to be an evident need for food banks across the province. Thankfully, there has been no decrease in the amount of support the St. Paul food bank is receiving.
“What a great community we live in,” said Lambert, expressing his gratitude to the “people of St. Paul and district for their very generous support of the food bank.”
“I also want to thank our great team of volunteers who keep the food bank running smoothly each week,” said Lambert.
Jokingly, he says he is “just the pretty face” behind the food bank, while adding seriously, that the “volunteers do the real work.”
Major grocery stores in the community like Cornerstone Co-op, Sobey’s, Extra Foods, and Giant Tiger have played a significant role in supporting the food bank, according to Lambert. And “the many, many businesses of St. Paul always seem to find new and creative ways to help us.”
Lambert then reiterated the importance of community support in keeping the local food bank operating. For example, he said the Manawannis Native Friendship Centre provides the food bank with 2,000 square feet of space “free of charge.”
“We would not be able to operate without their generous assistance,” said Lambert.
He also thanked the many “service clubs” for their support and generosity, which includes the St. Paul Fire Department, as well as many schools and students that continue to support the food bank.
“Thank you for all the support of all of the churches and their parishioners,” he concluded.
When asked if the food bank faced any significant challenges in the recent months due to the rise of inflation, Lambert said “we’re always needing money.” But “we’re not desperate,” he said, crediting the federal government for its support, particularly during the pandemic.
He said big donations were also given to the food bank, putting them in a good position.
When asked what the local food bank is currently in need of, Lambert said “any non-perishable foods, juice packs for kids’ school lunches, and ground coffee.”
The food bank is open Monday to Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
$10 million toward food banks
According to a Nov. 23 provincial government news release, Albertans are facing a variety of increased costs “due to record inflation.”
“As many Albertans struggle to heat their homes and feed their families, more people are turning to food banks to help meet their basic needs,” according to the province. Therefore, the provincial government has announced $20 million over two years to support food banks and civil service agencies in the province.
Over two years, $10 million will be provided to food banks in the province, while $10 million will be allocated in matching funds for food banks, charities, non-profits and civil society organizations, according to the provincial government.
