North Hastings Community Cupboard is prepared for a record-breaking holiday season.
The food bank’s executive director Monica Piercey says 204 households have already signed up to receive holiday food hampers that are given out on, or ahead of, Christmas Day. That’s the most ever, and it’s up from 164 last year.
She said an influx of donations this month is helping the food bank meet those needs, but more challenges lie ahead.
“While we’ve been able to meet the Christmas demand our eye is always forward,” she says. “We always know, after December comes January and things start to get pretty lean. We always encourage people to please don’t forget about us in the New Year.”
Piercey says this holiday season brings mixed emotions.
She’s grateful the community has stepped up with donations, but is concerned that demand for Community Cupboard services has increased so dramatically.
“We’re at a higher volume than normal of people requiring basic food bank services. We’re at record numbers for our holiday hampers, which give people a choice of chicken, turkey, or ham.
“It’s constantly busy. The support has been incredible. This community always has our back.”
Staff and volunteers will be at the Community Cupboard on Christmas day itself handing out food and Piercey expects it will be busy. She said 24 special hampers are being made for people who are listed as “unhoused.”
