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Food And Drinks

‘Want is outstripping our assets’: Edmonton charities

By Mike D. Wagner

  1. Local News

“As things are going, the need is outstripping our resources right now.”

Published Dec 24, 2022 • 4 minutes read

6 comments Santa waves to Daniel Santa waves to Daniel “Can Man Dan” Johnstone as Johnstone continues his three day winter camp out for the Edmonton Food Bank at the Southbrook Sobey’s, 1109 James Mowatt Trail SW, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022. Photo By David Bloom Photo by David Bloom /David Bloom/Postmedia

Edmonton charities stretched to the limits due to spiraling demand are hopeful that those who are able share what they can in the spirit of giving this holiday season.

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Applications for services from the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton, for one, have spiked 40 per cent, said executive director Adam Zawadiuk. It’s been a “wild year,” with just over 17,300 applications approved.

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Some 6,962 Walmart gift cards have been given out for the Adopt-a-Teen program and 1,400 food hampers, along with gift cards, have gone out to families, he added.

“From a numbers standpoint, that means we were actually over 60,000 people served this year,” he said.

The organization knew there would be an increase in need this year but they were surprised by how much demand has risen as citizens try to cope with rising costs for everything from food to fuel.

“When we looked at our numbers and where we were over the last couple of years, we were originally projecting somewhere between about a 10 to 15 per cent increase,” said Zawadiuk.

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“It caught us off guard a little bit, but fortunately, we were in a position where we could still provide the services to everybody and make sure that nobody was missing out on anything at Christmas time.”

Generous donors, many of whom are also watching every penny, have been giving more but the total volume of donations is down, he added.

“Sometimes it’s five dollars or 10 dollars more than last year, but a lot of little notes in the comments section on the website or when somebody sends a check in and even when people are giving in face-to-face, they say ‘we know this is a tough year. I’m having a tough time but I know there’s other people out there who are experiencing even worse so I want to give a little bit more,’” he said.

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Edmonton Food Bank at capacity

Edmonton’s Food Bank, meanwhile, continues to fundraise for its festive campaign, which ends Jan. 6, with the aim to raise $3.5 million and 300,000 kilograms of food. As of Friday, 70 per cent of the food goal and 80 per cent of the monetary goal had been met.

“We don’t want people to forget about us because this campaign actually allows us to set the tone of what we’re able to provide in 2023,” said Tamisan Bencz-Knight, manager of strategic relationships and partnerships.

“As things are going, the need is outstripping our resources right now. And so this is the biggest time of the year for us to bring in that stock.

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“But in January, February, March, that’s when we’re really going to have to pull up our bootstraps and see how we can keep going because this is a huge volume of people every month coming to us, so we are at capacity and things aren’t done yet.”

In November, the food bank saw the highest numbers for its hamper program in its 41-year history, with more than 35,000 people served.

“Prior to the pandemic, actually, Decembers were actually a little bit of a reprieve month for us because there’s seasonal charities that come out,” Bencz-Knight said. “That actually used to relieve some of the pressures on us as an organization and unfortunately, now it’s not because of how big the need is.”

Bencz-Knight said those who have been able to step up and donate are appreciated. “People are stepping up and the challenge is the need is outstripping everything,” she said.

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Those donors include the likes of Dan Johnstone, aka Can Man Dan, who spent four days outside the Southbrook Sobeys in a food bank truck, raising food and funds. A long-time anonymous donor is also offering $20,000 to match other donations.

Those who may not be able to give a physical donation can also give the gift their time, added Bencz-Knight, giving thanks to all the volunteers who have stepped up. They have been helping out at various food bank depot drive-thrus, loading peoples’ vehicles.

“That is heartwarming. That is where there is hope,” she said. “That is serving up hope to us right now as we’re looking at the numbers.”

Toys for tickets

Alberta Health Services (AHS) last week said it has collected more than 130 toys in its Toys for Tickets campaign, which provides people who received an AHS parking ticket the opportunity to donate a new, unwrapped toy rather than pay their fine.

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“It was great to see the outpouring of generosity and donations from everyone who donated in the Edmonton area,” said Sergio Roppo, manager of parking operations, north sector in a news release.

“It certainly helped put a smile on our parking staff faces and hopefully will do the same for the dozens of children who will receive a toy over the holiday season.”

The campaign ended on Dec. 16 and the toys donated will be distributed to children staying at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Heaping donation for Bissell Centre

Employees at Agropur Dairy Cooperative’s Edmonton milk and ice cream plants also collected nearly one tonne of clothing and supplies in support of Bissell Centre. The donations were delivered on Dec. 7, to inner-city individuals in need.

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Mike D. Wagner 1140 posts 0 comments

Love to write so I write about Edmonton my beloved City!!! Studied at University of Alberta, I love this place. Ask me anything!

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