JOHN JANTAK
The 1510 West

Food banks in the West Island have seen requests for food baskets increase by up to 30 per cent this holiday season, leaving officials at the West Island Mission in Pointe Claire wondering if they will have enough in the new year.

“It’s alarming,” said Suzanne Scarrow, executive director of West Island Mission. “Typically, what came in at Christmastime pre-pandemic would last us until June and then we would run our Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation campaign.”

“The last couple of years the supply lasted until March, and right now we honestly don’t believe it will last us until March next year,” Scarrow said in an interview with The 1510 West. “It’s very surreal times.”

While food assistance requests from families have risen significantly in the last year, there also has been a noticeable increase among single adults and seniors.

More seniors asking for help

“That is very concerning to us,” Scarrow said. “People who are potentially collecting their pension and should be enjoying their lives are now in a position where they have to go to a food bank. That’s scary.”

“This is something we’ve never experienced before,” she added.

Food assistance requests have also increased by 20 to 30 per cent this year at On Rock Community Services in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, said president and founder Kim Reid.

“A lot of families are coming in who would have never used the food bank before, but with the cost of living increasing, it’s becoming really hard on families,” Reid said.

“We also have a fair amount of elderly people, too, who are using our services,” Reid added.

While demand has increased, Reid said some people are reluctant to ask for help.

“You’ve got to show up at the door and look people in the eye. There’s a shame there for a lot of people. We do our best to give as much dignity as we can to people that come to us,” Reid said.

“But at the end of the day, they’re still coming and asking for food because they can’t take care of their needs on their own,” he added.

Reid said On Rock is still able to meet the demand by networking with different distributors instead of relying solely on donations from Moisson Montreal, the largest food bank in Canada.

“Luckily, through our networking, we’ve always able to bring something extra,” Reid said. “I know it’s a struggle for a lot of food banks to keep up with the demand.”

Strikes affecting collections at schools

The West Island Assistance Fund in Pierrefonds-Roxboro has also seen demand for its food bank services increase, with an average of five to seven new applicants each week. It currently serves 1,600 people.

“It’s getting harder and harder for the population,” said Dillimah Nawosah, a spokesperson for the fund.

The organization is also worried its current food supply could run out by mid-February. It is appealing to the public to make whatever donations they can to keep their shelves stocked.

The provincial teachers strike has also put a crimp on the amount of food donations it would have normally received from schools in the area at this time of the year, Nawosah said.

“This is also impacting us. They give lots of donations during the festive times, and we’re already in a tough situation,” she said.