CANORA — With the cost of pretty much everything getting higher these days, it’s becoming more common for people to turn to the food bank just to put food on the table, especially during the holiday season when expenses really seem to pile up.
Pastor Mavis Watson, volunteer administrator at Filling the Gap Food Bank in Canora, said recent support from the Canora Composite School food drive was welcome.
“The help is much appreciated,” said Watson. “We have lots of canned food right now, but our biggest need is cash. Last year we did almost 50 Christmas hampers, so for this year we need to buy things like chickens, turkeys, oranges, potatoes and other fresh vegetables, and none of that is cheap.”
Watson said the Christmas season is one of their busiest times of year, usually with more people needing help than during the rest of the year.
“They spend money on gifts, and do more travelling this time of year so they have to buy gas. Sometimes there’s not enough left to buy food. Everyone is feeling the pinch with the high cost of groceries, and of living in general; the food bank is feeling it too.”
Operations of Filling the Gap are overseen by the Canora Ministerial Association, and applicants for hampers are carefully screened regarding the details of their circumstances.
Lately, it’s becoming more evident that a person doesn’t necessarily have to be unemployed to need help putting food on the table. Watson gets a number of calls from people who can’t even afford the gas to drive to where they work.
“There is one family I know where the husband has back issues and yet is still trying to work when he can,” said Watson. “His wife has terminal cancer and they have three handicapped adult sons.”
Skyrocketing costs have affected support levels from local groups and businesses.
“Gateway Co-op, they’ve been so generous and purchased a steer and had it butchered for us the last few years. This year they were unable to do it because it was too expensive, so we received no meat from them.
“However, we are receiving significant donations of food items through our bin at Gateway Co-op. Lately we’ve had meat coming as sausage from generous American hunters — it’s nice but not like pounds of hamburger.”
Watson said this year Filling the Gap is being very specific and only giving a Christmas Day hamper for two meals: breakfast and supper.
“We need to save the rest of our donations. For instance, this past year, after Christmas we didn’t receive any significant donations until June.
“Cost for filling a hamper has gone up about $25-$30 compared to last year.”
Watson reminds potential donors that if they are donating food, it needs to be in unopened containers.
“Don’t bring food that’s been opened. We can’t use anything that’s been opened or that is past the expiry date indicated on the package or box.”
Watson said there will be no food hampers given out in December prior to Christmas hamper delivery.
Those in need of support have until Dec. 16 to request a Christmas hamper.
“But we would really appreciate it if they didn’t wait until the last minute,” she said. “Hampers will be delivered on the 18th, and recipients will be contacted for confirmation.”
While the work is difficult, Watson said she finds it satisfying and rewarding, especially when she is able to offer a little something extra to an individual or family receiving support.
“I called this little old lady who has cancer and is looking after her handicapped adult son, and it happened to be her 85th birthday. I brought her a cake and some milk for her son, who loves milk. Her face really lit up — she’s under a lot of pressure caring for her son and no one else thinks about her on her birthday.”
Anyone interested in volunteering, donating or seeking more information is encouraged to call Watson at 306-563-5315. Arrangements can be made for donation pickup, or cheques can be mailed to: Filling the Gap Food Bank Canora, PO Box 957, Canora, Sask., S0A 0L0.
After the holidays, Watson said they will be back to taking phone calls beginning Jan. 5.
“We are changing the criteria for receiving hampers starting in the New Year. Applicants will be allowed a maximum of six food hampers per year excluding Christmas.”
The need for support is not only on the rise in the Canora area but across Canada. According to foodbankscanada.ca, in March 2025 there were 2,165,766 total food bank visits across the country, almost double the number from the same month in 2019. Since 2021, the Consumer Price Index has increased by more than 18 per cent. Shelter, food and transportation have risen by 26 per cent, 25 per cent and nearly 20 per cent, respectively — increases that far exceed wage growth and align with climbing food bank usage.
