'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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.