More people short on food in Happy Valley-Goose Bay

Non-profit organizations in Happy Valley-Goose Bay are reporting a spike in the number of people using food banks and similar services.

The Salvation Army says 96 new families used its food voucher program in 2016 and the Labrador Friendship Centre says food bank use went up almost 50 per cent in September 2016 compared to September 2015.

• Food bank use on the rise in Canada

"We have had a very busy year," said Salvation Army Captain Brent Haas."On every level we've had a record-breaking year."

Haas said the Salvation Army budgeted $10,000 for food vouchers because that's how much the church spent in in 2015.

"By July we had surpassed that," he said.

"We anticipate we'll hit around the $20,000-mark."

Haas said food vouchers are available once a month to anyone who asks. He said he often refers families to the food bank when the voucher doesn't cover all their needs.

"We've definitely noticed a huge increase in demand as well," said Jamie Jackman, a community outreach worker at the Labrador Friendship Centre.

Jackman saidthe food bank, which works with other agencies to hand out Christmas hampers, anticipates a bigger demand than ever.

Typically, about 250 hampers are distributed in and around Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

"I don't see how it couldn't correlate into more hampers, and that's what we're preparing for."

Slipping below poverty line

The trend mirrors a report from Food Banks Canada, which says food bank use across Canada is up 1.3 per cent over last year. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the increaseis 5.3 per cent.

Jackmanand Haas suspect higher provincial taxes might have something to do with it.

"A lot of these faces have been seniors, fixed incomes, really struggling to make ends meet. So we're so thankful that they knew that they could come to the Salvation Army and receive assistance," Haas said.

"Their pay is no greater, but of course their bills are."

We think that maybe the people who found themselves just above the poverty line may have found themselves slip under.- Jamie Jackman, Labrador Friendship Centre

Jackmansaideven a minor change could have resulted in greater demand.

"We think that maybe the people who found themselves just above the poverty line may have found themselves slip under that just recently," he said.

"That, and I think we're also doing a really good job of getting out in the community."

Jackman said the food bank is counting on donations from the public to get through the Christmas season.

CBC's Feed NL Day, includingLabrador Morning's annual Turkey Drive, is Friday, Dec. 9.