Edmonton food bank short on donations ahead of holidays [Video]

Edmonton’s Food Bank says it’s far behind on donations for its festive campaign the first week into December.

Executive Director Marjorie Bencz says the food bank is only sitting around 20 per cent of its food and monetary goals. It aims to raise 300,000 kilograms of food and $4.5 million by Jan. 10.

In October, the food bank served more than 47,000 people through its hamper program.

Due to the Canada Post strike, the food bank’s newsletters and 200,000 paper bags, which include locations to make donations, weren’t delivered.

“With the rise of inflation, we have seen a massive increase in the cost of living including groceries and gas prices, affecting many vulnerable members of our community,” Bencz said in a Wednesday news release.

Food and money items collected help families beyond the holiday season. The campaign is essential to help build inventory into the new year.