P.E.I. food drive breaks donation record as need continues to grow

Max Smith

Particular to The Guardian

A meals financial institution in Charlottetown has smashed information for donations and the variety of individuals utilizing the service in October.

The Y’s Service Membership held its annual meals drive for the Higher Room Meals Financial institution on Oct. 29 raking in over 20,000 kilos of meals, to assist the meals financial institution’s 2,500 shoppers, over 900 households. Final 12 months’s drive introduced in about 2,500 fewer kilos of meals, which served about 609 households.

Mike MacDonald, the manager director of the Higher Room Hospitality Ministry, mentioned he was shocked by the amount of meals individuals had been in a position to donate, realizing how many individuals are affected by the rising value of every part from groceries to fuel.

“We’re extraordinarily proud of the result. We actually weren’t anticipating this a lot contemplating the value,” he mentioned.

“There’s lots of people on the market struggling and I’m very grateful we’re ready the place we can assist.”

Final month was the busiest one the meals financial institution has seen, a development that staff have been noticing since Might. Often, the busy months do not begin till the winter climate units in.

“Often in the summertime, we’d have a busy, day then issues could be fairly gradual, however sadly, we by no means noticed these gradual days once more, they by no means got here,” MacDonald mentioned. “It’s only a busy day adopted by a busy day adopted by a busy day.”

Carlos Cegerra, one among many individuals residing in Charlottetown who depend on the meals financial institution, was within the meals financial institution’s ready space Nov. 4.

“It’s crucial with the rising value of residing,” Cegerra mentioned concerning the service the meals financial institution gives. “It’s so vital. With out this, we will’t dwell.”

Max Smith is a scholar within the journalism program at Holland Faculty.

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