Northumberland Fare Share Foodbank reflects on 2021

By Felicia Massey

Helen Donovan, Chair of Northumberland Fare Share Food Bank, says 2021 has brought a number of great contributions from some local businesses, organizations, charity groups and churches.

“We're extremely lucky in the support that we get from everyone in the local community,” she said in an interview with Northumberland 89.7.

“I think that's probably just as important as anything else. The fact that this is a community effort where there are some people who need support and there are others who are able to provide it. 

This support has been much needed, as she says the food bank has seen an increase in the number of people coming in and accessing their services on a daily basis.

Donovan says the increase began as government assistance programs began tapering off last September.

“People [working] minimum wage, part-time jobs are finding it very difficult to make ends meet. The housing prices – and especially the price of food – have meant more people have needed to come for additional support to the food bank.”

“Sometimes you'll see someone come once a month for example, to top up what they might need in order to feed themselves or their families. Or there's people that are on a more regular basis.” 

Over the holidays, the foodbank annually sees another surge in community members coming in and picking up food items for holiday meals.

“We had as many volunteers as possible on hand to make sure that everyone that needs some food support is able to get it and enjoy themselves, their families, their friends and those that they are able to share Christmas with. It's a very special – but also a very challenging – time of year for a lot of people. We hope we make a difference in that respect.”

“The increase is there and the need is there, and we're hoping to be able to meet the expanding need in 2022 thanks to all the generous donations that we received in the last couple of months.”