Food banks struggle to meet growing demand

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This article was published 10/12/2024 (281 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Food banks run by the Salvation Army and Samaritan House Ministries — both not-for-profit organizations — are wrestling with unprecedented challenges as demand for their services has increased exponentially, even as funding continues to dwindle.

With the cost of living rising sharply and the ongoing postal strike disrupting donations, both organizations are warning that they are fast nearing their capacity to meet the community’s needs.

Salvation Army core officer and leader James Rands told the Sun the organization has experienced a staggering 40-45 per cent client increase in 2024, compared with last year.

“The economy has gone so far downhill that even people who are working have found it difficult to make ends meet,” he said on Monday.

The non-profit he said, has opened extra appointment times, but every single week, all its slots are full and overbooked. “We’re fielding hundreds of calls but can only take a few. If we could do more, we would,” he explained, adding that logistical and financial limitations are preventing further expansion of the organization’s services.

The Salvation Army’s mobile feeding program is another vital initiative feeling the strain.

Rands said the program, which distributes 120 meals each Saturday, has reached its maximum capacity and consistently runs out of food.

“With the cost of everything going up, it’s becoming harder to continue this service,” Rands said. “We’ll do what we can with what we receive, but if the financial situation doesn’t improve, we’ll have to consider other options.”

The shortfall in funding, he said, is particularly acute for the Salvation Army because it does not receive government support and relies solely on monetary donations.

Samaritan House Ministries has also witnessed an increase in the number of people relying on its services.

Executive director Heather Symbalisty told the Sun demand for their services in Brandon has grown, especially in 2024.

“We’ve had over 1,100 new households in Brandon accessing our services for the first time this year and we don’t expect these numbers to decrease in 2025,” she said in an interview. “Any donations or support we receive will go a long way in helping us continue to support the community, ensuring we can provide the food people urgently need.”

Symbalisty lauded her team for their efforts despite the rising demand. She said they are doing the best they can, elaborating on the challenges of managing the holiday rush, which is typically their busiest time of the year. “It can be a time where we need to make sure we take care of ourselves and each other.”

Regarding the demographics of those seeking assistance, she noted significant increase in visits across the board, including newcomers to Brandon, single parents, and families struggling with higher rent and an elevated cost of living.

About 40 per cent of Samaritan House Ministries’ clients are children, Symbalisty noted.

“Families juggling bills, rent, and groceries are finding it extremely hard out there,” she added. “Without donors, we wouldn’t be able to keep doing what we do. We just want to remind everyone that our food bank and safe and warm shelter still exist, and we appreciate their support.”

Rands added the ongoing postal strike has also severely impacted Salvation Army’s mail-in donations, which form a significant portion of their annual funding.

“We generally receive a lot of donations through the mail,” he said. “As of now, we’ve received nothing, and it’s making it increasingly difficult to plan for the months ahead.”

The local Christmas kettle campaign, which aims to raise $100,000 annually, is currently at just 40 per cent of its target, Rands said. “These funds are critical not only for holiday initiatives like toy and hamper distributions, but also for sustaining year-round feeding programs.”

The funding challenges extend beyond feeding programs.

Salvation Army’s broader family services, which include support for housing and other essential needs, are also under pressure, Rands added.

“Our ability to support the community has been hit hard this year,” he said. Despite these difficulties, the organization continues to express gratitude for every donation received.

“What we’ve received today is more than (what) we had yesterday,” he said, emphasizing the importance of community support.

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