More in need of some help for the holidays

A growing number of newcomers to the area and rising costs for food and rent mean more local people needed some help for the holidays.

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Registration was up for both Christmas Baskets, organized by the Brantford Food Bank, and the volunteer-run Community Toy and Hamper program in Paris.

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Heather Vanner, executive director of Community Resource Service, which operates Christmas Baskets through the food bank, said the number of people signing up for the holiday program grew substantially, with 1,600 households seeking help, up from 1,040 last year.

Christmas Baskets, which, prior to the pandemic, provided hampers filled with a turkey and food to last several days, as well as toys, now supplies gift cards so recipients can make their own holiday choices. The cards went out on Dec. 6 to give people time to shop.

“We are seeing more and more people needing the food bank,” said Vanner. “We’re seeing food bank use at 2008 recession numbers.”

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But Vanner said their statistics dispel the myth that people become dependent on the food bank and use it every month. She said the impact of inflation and rising cost of living means more people across the city are struggling to make ends meet. Some, she said, only use the food bank occasionally.

Being left short of funds for essentials, including food, “just takes one out of the ordinary expense,” said Vanner.

And while the Christmas Basket program has come to a close, Vanner said the need for food and monetary donations continues.

“I want to thank all the donors,” she said of Christmas Baskets. “If we keep growing support, we keep helping others. But the need doesn’t stop because the holiday is over. Come January we will have more than 1,000 people using the food bank.”

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Vanner said increasing costs have hit everyone, resulting in a dip in food and monetary donations.

“We’ve been hit with a double whammy,” she said. “The need has increased but it costs more for donors to give.”

The number of applicants for the Community Toy and Hamper program in Paris jumped to 172 this year, up from 150 in 2022. Hampers packed with enough food to last four or five days, along with new toys and knitted items, were distributed Friday at the Paris Fairgrounds.

“We get more folks every year in our community who need some help,” said Shirley Simons, chair of the hamper program. “People have been over-the-top generous this year. It’s amazing.”

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