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As the food bank’s busiest months approached, they knew to expect high demand, especially as public health measures began tightening with cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 on the rise.
During a usual fall season, many companies make annual layoffs, seasonal jobs come to an end and expenses such as food and heating increase. But this year, due to the pandemic and continued unemployment, the food bank saw numbers rise eight to 11 per cent higher than the average.
“November of last year, we handed out 6,100 hampers, and this November we handed out 6,800 hampers,” said Ogston.
“This year, we’re seeing many individuals and families coming. Families and individuals who never thought they would have to come to the food bank and now they’re accessing these social supports.”
The food bank had to adjust its annual Stuff A Bus campaign in November due to the pandemic — setting drop-off bins outside Calgary Co-op locations rather than filling Calgary Transit buses with non-perishable food donations and cash.
Yet even during these unpredictable times, the community has continued to support the food bank to ensure the supply could meet the high demand.
A Twitter campaign in April by local entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson and Mayor Naheed Nenshi raised nearly $200,000 for the food bank in 48 hours, in an effort to help the community pull through the first few months of the pandemic.
“We truly are community-owned and community-supported. Because of the community, we are able to meet the demand every day,” said Ogston. “Calgary is very generous.”
Ogston expects the need for food will continue to be significant into 2021 with many people still out of work, many with cut hours and others with closed businesses. But thanks to people’s generosity this holiday season, the food bank will be able to continue to help those in need, she said.
sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie
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