NEWS FILE PHOTO
Shelves are shown being stocked at the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank in this file photo.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
The Medicine Hat & District Food Bank says there are significantly more seniors requesting food than in the past.
“We have seen an increase compared with last year, mostly with seniors,” said Celina Symmonds, executive director. “We’ve seen a significant increase in seniors 65 and older.”
There have been an increase of 37 seniors seeking help this December compared to last December, she said. The reason for the increase is unclear but it is reflective of the numbers at food banks nationally. At the same time there is a small decrease in the number of children.
So far this December 753 households in Medicine Hat have accessed the food bank, said Symmonds. That is about 150 more than last December.
“Roscos provided 200 individual homemade frozen turkey dinners for folks that might not be able to cook one at their home. It’s absolutely amazing,” said Symmonds.
Symmonds says the food bank is busy providing food this week prior to closing for a couple weeks from Dec. 20 to Jan. 3. That two-week period includes days they would be closed anyway because of weekends and statutory holidays.
This year there will be renovations taking place during this time but in general the food bank is not busy at this time, said Symmonds.
“There are other services available during that time,” said Symmonds.
At this time of year people have more opportunities to attend festive meals in the community and rely less on what they have at home, she said.
“People also have access to funds through the Santa Clause Fund and the Salvation Army and they get grocery vouchers,” said Symmonds.
This means people stock up with the basics this week before the closure and can use the grocery vouchers to purchase fresh produce and dairy items, she explained.
Even when the food bank is closed the telephone is monitored should anyone be in need. Hampers are provided to “all of the social agencies in town” for their clients if someone is in need.
“After Christmas is when they actually need us to step up,” said Symmonds.
When someone who has not been a client before visits the food bank they are initially given an emergency hamper and an appointment is made for an “intake” interview.
Symmonds says it takes “two days” for that appointment.
