The Sackville Food Bank is putting out a call for donations of turkeys to give to a growing number of families who are struggling financially this season, after finding out their usual source would not be coming through this year.
Food bank president Heather Patterson says she heard late last week that due to ballooning demand the annual Sue Stultz Turkey Drive in Moncton would no longer be able to provide turkeys and hams to the Sackville Food Bank. “That was a bit of a shock,” says Patterson. “We’ve always had them as long as I can remember. And of course this year our numbers are so far up that we’re really in need.”
But there’s hope on the horizon. Within 24 hours of a first post going live on social media, Patterson says she’s had 17 or 18 different donation offers.
The “response has been amazing,” says Patterson. “I heard today from an under-11 hockey team, I guess the parents is who we’re talking about, but they’re bringing us three turkeys and three hams.”
Storage of the frozen meats could be a logistical issue for the food bank. “We’re going to have to ask our friends and neighbours to put a turkey in their freezer,” says Patterson, noting that in the past volunteers have stored frozen goods until pick-up day. “This time we’ll probably have to ask a store or a restaurant to take some for us,” says Patterson. “And fingers crossed, that’ll work.”
As of this month there are 86 families and 81 individuals receiving help from the Sackville Food Bank, not including others who come infrequently, says Patterson. That’s up from last year at this time, when there were 74 families and 53 individuals signed up.
“Everybody has the same challenge,” says Patterson. “Their numbers are growing and they don’t know how they’re going to manage… We’re way over budget already on food, because of two things: one, the price of food has gone up so much, and secondly, because we have so many more people.”
Anyone with turkeys or other support to donate can contact the Sackville Food Bank at contact@SackvilleFoodBank.ca, or 506-536-4164. Donations must be confirmed by December 16.
