Increased need for food banks as turkey drive begins, says Eg Walters

The holiday season marks the time of year whenfood drives ramp up, and this yearorganizers say the need for food is significant.

The most recent figures on food bank usage across the country revealed that food bank usage in Newfoundland and Labrador had declined roughly six percent.

• St. John's extends curbside food drive for another week

However, Eg Walters, of the Community Food Sharing Association, saidthis is no longer the case. He saidfood bank usage has gone back up since the summer.

Walters credits the provincial government's poverty reduction strategy for the reduced need for food banks, but said the swift drop in oil prices and its impact on the economy has setthe ratesclaiming once again.

"What we're finding now is that there are a lot of people returning from Alberta that don't have a job out there anymore, and I think that's part of the problem as well," he said.

Food bank usage has also risen dramatically in Alberta, which historically has been the province with the least need for food banks.

• Food bank usage report shows Alberta pushed up national numbers

Walters expects the increased reliance on food banks to continue in to the future in both provinces.

CBC Turkey Drive kicks off

Monday marks the start of CBC's annual turkey drive at locations across Newfoundland and Labrador, in partnership with the College of the North Atlantic, to provide frozen turkeys to those in need during the holidays.

The turkey drive runs until Dec. 23 and donors can drop off their turkeys at any CBC location or CNA campus across the province.

• Explore the full list of turkey drop-off locations

CBC Radio's morning shows across the province will also be holding special drop-off events on Friday, Dec. 11.

St. John's
Turkey Drive Thru, CBC St. John's
7 a.m. to7 p.m.

Central
Turkey Drop-off, Gander Mall
6 a.m. to5 p.m.

Corner Brook
Turkey Drop-off, Valley Mall
7 a.m to5 p.m.

Labrador
Turkey Drop-off, CBC Happy Valley-Goose Bay
6 a.m. to8:30 a.m.

Financial contributions can also be made online.

The event is growing every year with turkeys being collected and distributed to more than more than 7,000 families in need.