Facing bare shelves and empty hampers, this food bank made an emotional appeal for help

The number of people relying on food banks is higher than ever, and the need is even greater during the holidays, say organizers.

The crewof CBC Radio's The Signal witnessed it last week, when we broadcastlive from the Saint Vincent de Paul Carbonear Food Bank.

A lineup of clients began to growoutside the door, as donations rolled in for the Feed N.L. day campaign on Friday.

The day was busy as staff and volunteers handedout Christmas hampers.

Kerri Abbott, chairperson of the food bank, had earlier madea plea to the public for help through social media. The food bank didn'thave the basic items for regular hampers, and nothing ahead of that day for Christmas hampers.

Abbott found herself having to turn people away whoneeded help. The shelves were bare and there was nothing she could do about it.

Abbott said she is dealing with clients who have to wear snowsuits in their homes because they're turning off their heat to afford food.

"How do we live in a time like this?" she said.

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Kerri Abott of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank says staff want to do more than greet clients and give out food. They want to be involved at ground-level discussions about food security and living wages. But as Abbott tells the CBCs Adam Walsh, sometimes all they can do is try to keep up with demand and think of ways to get more food to the people who need it most.

Longtime volunteer Mildred Fitzgerald said there's a lot of stress in trying tokeepthe shelves stocked due to the increase in demand

"We've been hanging by our nails all fall," shesaid.

Fitzgerald said she has seen anuptick in the number of clients at the food bank in the 12 years that she has been there.

"We are seeing a lot more people, a lot less food and a lot more problems," she said. "Bigger problems than we have ever had before."

'The need is just unbelievable this year'

The community responded after hearing the plea for help and stepped up to fill the shelves just in time for the Christmas hamper initiative.Powell's Supermarket also chipped in.

Valerie Morgan, Powell's Supermarket's marketing co-ordinator, told CBC News it's a hard time of year for many.

"We know that this time of year is always a time of need, but the need is just unbelievable this year, and the crew here at the food bank have been feeling it for a while," she said.

Powell's Supermarketcontributed food and money tothe Christmas hamper project.

Kaitlin Clarke, the food bank's communications and outreach co-ordinator,urges community members to contribute.

"Every donation counts, even if you can give one can," she said."There was a point there where we were concerned because the amount of food that we were giving to people wasn't as much as we are used to giving out."

As clients stood in line and waited their turn, one told us he relies on the food bank because of his inability to workdue to a health condition.

He said hewent from contributing to the food bank to needing assistance from it.

"I worked all my life since I was 15 years old, and I went from working to needing support. You can go from being healthy and full of life one dayto lying in a hospital bed the next day," he said.

"The food bank is your friend, so don't be afraid to call them."

The Feed N.L. campaign carries on until the end of the month. Donations can be madeat cbc.ca/bekindor throughthe Community Food Sharing Association to donate to a specific food bank.

About The Signal

Every weekday, Adam Walsh starts a new conversation on The Signal. It's a show about what's on your mind now, and what people aren't talking about yet. The Signal will make you think, smile and learn more about the place you call home.

The Signal54:50Feed NL in Carbonear

Adam Walsh and the whole Signal crew hit the road and hosted the show from Carbonear, for a special Feed NL episode.

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