'Lots of families are struggling': Saskatoon Food Bank kicks off Christmas campaign
The Saskatoon Food Bank says it has seen an increase in the number of working families using its services.
“What we’ve seen since January is that increase in inflation really is affecting folks,” executive director Laurie O’Conner told CTV News.
“If you’re struggling and the cost of food has gone up by 11 per cent, it’s going to be big.”
She said they’re now helping over 20,000 people each month and 40 per cent are children.
“Lots of families are struggling,” O’Conner said.
“We know that child poverty in this province is stubborn. One in four children lives in poverty in Saskatchewan. Our numbers are stark as well. We’re seeing about 40 per cent of our usage rates are requests made on behalf of children.”
A report done in 2017 found that 26.2 per cent of children in Saskatchewan lived in poverty. That is the third-highest number in Canada, according to the report.
“All the years I’ve worked in the community, we haven’t been able to move the needle on that,” O’Conner said.
She said the Food Bank has started its Christmas campaign called Light It Up.
“It’s been a tough couple of years. The pandemic kept people apart, so we’re hoping that folks will take a little bit of time to get together and enjoy company and think about their friends and neighbours who might be struggling. Then share ways with us they are lighting it up for the community. Things they’re supporting and things they’re doing that are fun.”
She said for food donations, people should consider nutrition.
“Hearty soups and stews, canned protein, pasta and sauce, those kinds of things are still really important to us.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.