Food bank use doubles since iron ore downturn in Labrador West

The Ministerial Food Bank in Labrador West says need for its services has doubled over the past couple of years, because of the closure of the mine in Wabush and cutbacks by the Iron Ore Company of Canada. 

"They have had an increase here and of course it always seems to fall down to the people on the bottom rung as it were," Bill Burt, food bank chair, told CBC News.

"They are the ones that need the most help and we are here and we attempt to treat everyone as best we can with as much respect and dignity that we can."

Burt said there are about 60 people who get monthly food hampers. Before the downturn in the iron ore industry, he said the number was closer to 25 or 30.

Christmas requests

Burt said there was a big increase in people asking for Christmas hampers last year and demand has increased even further this year.  

"We are prepared for it," Burt said, "We always will care for everyone [who] applies."

Volunteers braved extremely cold temperatures Friday to deliver 190 hampers, which contain the ingredients for a traditional holiday meal. 

Toys were also distributed through the Toys for Joys program.

'Guerilla warfare'

Burt said the community has always been there for the food bank.

"When we need assistance, they always supply food drives, they always made their donations," Burt said.

Burt used to say a food bank is the frontline of poverty, but he's changed his mind.

"It's guerilla warfare. The frontline passed a long time ago ... We really have to help those people."