The Rimbey Food Bank has increased its food hampers by almost half since last year, with an increase of 40 percent. This number is only up until October.
Carmen Nixon, community programs coordinator with Rimbey FCSS, said it’s a great time of year as many organizations have been reaching out and lots of donations coming in.
Nixon added that with the increase in hampers this year, cash donations are a necessity.
“Cash donations really help us because that way the food bank coordinator can be able to go to local grocers to buy specific food items that are needed at that time,” she said.
With Christmas coming up, Nixon said the ladies at the food bank go above and beyond in organizing special hampers for the holidays.
“They get extras. They get things like a choice of a turkey or ham and they also get oranges and little special extras we try to do for Christmas hampers.”
Starting Dec. 1, the food bank receives requests for Christmas hampers, and this time of the year it’s not just their usual food bank clients. There is an increase in clients with it being an expensive time of the year.
“People are already struggling for Christmas whether it’s buying gifts or whatever, so there’s always more need at Christmas time,” said Nixon.
On Dec. 19, 20 and 21, they will be handing out Christmas hampers to those in need at the Church of Nazarene.
Clients who have requested a hamper will be called to arrange a time to come and pick up their hamper.
“We only have about three or four of us working to do those intakes. We keep it small because we want to respect the client’s privacy.”
With the cost of food increasing with inflation, the numbers definitely show. According to Food Banks Canada, one in five Albertans are accessing food banks this year.
To make a cash donation, people can donate with cash, cheque or e-transfer. E-transfers can be made out to info@rimbeyfcss.com with a password of rimbeyfcss.