Breadcrumb Trail Links
By the end of Wednesday, Regina’s Salvation Army branch was expecting to distribute more than 1,900 Christmas hampers to families in need.
Publishing date:
Dec 22, 2021 • December 22, 2021 • 3 minute read • Join the conversation 
John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank, stands for a portrait on Dec. 22, 2021 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post
Article content
By the end of Wednesday, Regina’s Salvation Army branch was expecting to distribute more than 1,900 Christmas hampers to families in need.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
That’s a 25 per cent increase over last year.
“There’s a lot of families who have really struggled this year, and we’re seeing families that we’ve not seen before,” said Major Al Hoeft, executive director for the Salvation Army Waterston Centre.
Hoeft said for families that have struggled in the past, the pandemic has only made times harder. And while some families did rebound as the economy re-opened, others may have been working in industries that were still negatively impacted by the pandemic.
The Regina Food Bank has also seen an increase in demand for its services. John Bailey, the food bank’s CEO, said this year the charity has seen a five per cent rise in demand. That steady increase follows a sharp climb the organization saw during the first December of the pandemic.
The food bank will be distributing approximately 2,500 Christmas hampers this year. Bailey said that while demand is rising, support from the community has been able to help the food bank keep up.
“I think in terms of community support we’re consistently sort of blown away and incredibly grateful for the support we get from the community,” said Bailey.
John Bailey, CEO of the Regina Food Bank, stands for a portrait on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post
This year the Salvation Army worked with the Regina Food Bank on the hamper program. The Salvation Army looked after families with children, while the food bank looked after families without children.
The Salvation Army’s Christmas hampers provided toys for children and gift cards for groceries. Hoeft said they recently moved to offering grocery gift cards so families can choose the food items they want.
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
As for donations, the Salvation Army’s goal this year for its kettle campaign was $240,000. As of Tuesday night, Hoeft said just over $200,000 had been raised.
“Certainly the challenge for us is getting over that last little hump, trying to get to that total so that we can continue to provide not just the Christmas program obviously, but services throughout the year that depend on that funding,” said Hoeft.
Both Hoeft and Bailey said inflation in food prices have added another layer of challenges for families. Bailey said inflation in grocery store prices hit the food bank from both sides, increasing the organization’s expenses as well as costs for families.
“We’re seeing our cost of food go up and then I think for the folks we are serving, obviously that’s an extra pressure, and I think those who are sort of most vulnerable and certainly those who are food insecure are in that camp. I think it actually has an outsized effect on them,” said Bailey.
On Wednesday, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission was preparing to serve up to 500 Christmas meals. Executive director Joe Miller said the charity was coming off of a phenomenal year for support in 2020, but the organization still had a good year in 2021.
Souls Harbour received a $10,000 donation from an anonymous donor this year, some of which was used to buy Christmas presents for the women and children in the women’s addictions program. Westridge Construction also donated Christmas hampers for all of the tenants in Souls Habour’s affordable housing program.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
“Our freezer is full of food. We have turkeys, we have hams, we have lots of hamburger, lots of vegetables in the cold room. So it’s been a good year for us. Not as good as the previous year, but no complaints,” said Miller.
The news seems to be flying at us faster all the time. From COVID-19 updates to politics and crime and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. With that in mind, the Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox to help make sure you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe.
Share this article in your social network
Advertisement 1
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Regina Leader Post Headline News
By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300
Thanks for signing up!
Comments
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.
Comments are closed.