Greener Village 'feeling the pinch' of higher demand this Christmas

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Officials with a Fredericton food bank say it’s been a challenge to meet the increased demand for their services and Christmas programs this year, but the community’s generosity is making it easier.

Greener Village Fredericton CEO Alex Boyd said there’s been “a significant increase” in food bank demand all year, but it’s being felt even more during the holiday season.

Boyd said general food bank services have seen a 40-per-cent surge in demand at Greener Village, and demand for the Christmas Angel Tree program is up 10 per cent. He said demand for the Christmas turkey program is projected to rise by 15 to 20 per cent over 2022.

“As we come to the final push of the year to make sure that everyone has a festive holiday, we’re definitely feeling the pinch,” he said. “We’re working hard now to get turkeys out the door and make sure gifts are arranged.”

Food Banks Canada’s latest Hunger Count report, published in November, noted a 25-per-cent jump in food bank use in New Brunswick. Half of the province’s food bank users were single, working-age adults.

Boyd said the Christmas season is always a busy time of year for food banks, but it’s more noticeable this year due to the double-digit rise in demand and usage. He said there’s been a steady stream at Greener Village of clients accessing food bundles, and pickup arrangements are constantly being made for the Angel Tree hampers.

As we come to the final push of the year to make sure that everyone has a festive holiday, we're definitely feeling the pinch

Alex Boyd

“It’s like we’re juggling, but all of the balls are in the air at the same time,” said Boyd. “When you add that many extra clients, there are a lot of logistical challenges to overcome to make it work.

“We have our regular volunteers in working and our corporate volunteers (from local businesses) coming in to help offset the extra workforce that we need to get the food and gift hampers ready and out the door to clients.”

Boyd said one area where the community has helped Greener Village meet the higher demand is the eighth annual Fredericton Community Grocers’ Turkey Drive, which exceeded its goal for this year and brought in 2,100 turkeys for families in need.

That level of support helps Greener Village offset one of its largest expenses during the holidays, Boyd said. It also allows the organization to help other local groups, such as food banks and Lions clubs, provide turkeys to less-fortunate families.

Boyd said he appreciates people’s generosity, but it’s sad to see this much need in the community for food bank services.

“We need to keep working on sustainable solutions and ways for people to get back on their feet and become self-sufficient so they don’t need that help as often,” he said.

“It’s critically important for us to be here and make sure they have what they need, and it’s amazing to be the lynchpin that helps distribute those resources from the public to people who need them.”