The Calgary Food Bank has reported an unprecedented surge in demand, with a significantly higher number of families seeking assistance compared to the previous year, highlighting the impact of rising prices on households.
Melissa From, President and CEO of the Calgary Food Bank, noted that increased mortgage rates, soaring gas prices, and escalating energy bills have contributed to the heightened demand. She revealed that while around 400 families were served daily at the same time last year, the food bank is currently assisting 700 families per day, providing them with groceries to sustain them for seven to ten days.
Disturbingly, Calgary Foundation vital statistics indicate that 26% of parents are sacrificing their own meals to ensure their children can eat. Melissa From urged those in such dire circumstances to reach out to the food bank for assistance, emphasizing that their mission is to provide support to those in need.
As part of their ongoing efforts to assist struggling Calgarians, the food bank recently organized its annual Canstruction event. During this event, engineers, designers, and architects create intricate structures using non-perishable food items. Since its inception in 2006, this event has contributed nearly 480,468 pounds of food to individuals facing food insecurity. This year, over 10,000 cans were utilized to construct these remarkable displays.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, one of the judges for the canned structures, empathized with the difficult circumstances many families find themselves in. She urged those who have the means to consider donating but emphasized that no one should feel obligated to do so. Mayor Gondek extended a compassionate message to those accessing the food bank’s services, assuring them that support is available for those facing challenging times.
