Saskatoon food bank prepping for holiday season

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and with only two weeks leftuntil Christmas, volunteers at Saskatchewanfood banks are hard at work.

"We see a huge influx over our Christmas fundraising season which is great. It's such a great time of year to feel that generous spirit and to support local charities," said Laurie O'Connor,executive director of the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre.

Over the past six months, according to O'Connor,there has been a large increase in people turning to the food bank's services. She said between 17,000 and 18,000 people per month are in need of a food basket that works out to about 4,100 people every week.

Based on data collected in Marchof this yearin Saskatoon, in the annualHungerCountreport by Food Banks Canada, the numbers are as follows:

• Increase in individual usage of 22 per centover last year.
• 43.7 per centof clients are children under the age of 18.
• 29.38 per centare from a lone-parent family.
• Seniors are4.7 per centof all adults.
• Post-secondarystudents are7.4 per centof all adults.
• Immigrants andrefugees are9.7 per centof all adults.
• Over 9 per centof clients receive provincial disability income assistance.
• Over 7 per centof clients have no source of income whatsoever.
• Around 7 per centof clients do not have a permanent address.

"A quarter of those people [using our services]are actually working full-time minimum wage jobs and not able to make ends meet," said O'Connor. "That's very concerning for us."

Although there is an influx of food collected around this time of year, the food bank is still accepting donations.

Top 5 wish list

With help from the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre, here is a list of the top 5 most wanted items to donate:

1. Canned protein

2. Canned fruits and vegetables

3. Pasta and canned sauce

4. Whole grain cereal

5. Infant formula

Comfort and Joy campaign supports food banks

This Friday, CBC Saskatchewan and CBC Saskatoon, in collaboration with theFood Banks of Saskatchewan, will be hosting the15thannual CBC/Radio-Canada Comfort andJoycampaign. An open house will take place andlisteners will be able to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the magic.

• Comfort and Joy Saskatoon
• Comfort and Joy Saskatchewan

Admission for the Comfort and Joy holiday open house is free but cash and food donations are welcome.

Donate anytime onlineor call the pledge lines 1-800-567-8008on Dec. 11 from 6a.m.- 10p.m. and Dec.12 and13 from 6a.m.-9 a.m.