For the past 25 years, Share the Warmth has been offering a helping hand to those who need it, but this year the organization is suffering from shortages of some basic staples.
“Because the cost of food is going up so much, people have less and less money to spend on food and the cost of living,” said Share the Warmth's Executive Director Fiona Crossling. “Housing and utilities and all that is usually what they would pay for first and so there’s less left over for food.”
The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the organization’s food bank, where volunteers prepare Christmas baskets for nearly 300 families.
“Normally, we never run out of it, but this year we’ve been running out of pasta and rice,” said Food Security Coordinator Emma Tilquin. “That would be a special need, as well as tuna. Tuna is actually one of the most needed items according to the members, the most useful item they can have in a box.”
Another item that is much sought after is frozen turkeys, said Crossling.
“People want to offer something special for their families at the holidays, like everybody does,” she said.
Share the Warmth will host a special Santa day for families with young children on Dec. 19. Kids will have a chance to take a photo with Santa Claus and receive a present.
To donate to Share the Warmth, click here.
