Food banks: A Charlottetown woman's first-hand perspective

Charlottetown's Wendy Compston says her family couldn't get by without P.E.I.'s food banks.

Compston, who has been using a city food bank for two years, has a house full of people and not much income. Her son has health problems and can't work, her daughter-in-law works part time and her granddaughter lives with her too.

People should never be embarrassed to say they use it.- Wendy Compston

"We can't just go to the grocery store and buy food like everybody else," she said. "We need help."

Compston said, in better times, she bought what she wanted for groceries. But after her husband died of cancer, and her son's family moved in, things got tight. 

"You just have to make do with what you've got. It's kind of scary and it's hard when you have a child, they have to eat properly, but you live from day to day."

Although she feels the pressure she said she tries to enjoy life.

'You really can't live without eating'

Compston doesn't think people should be ashamed to use a food bank.

"People should never be embarrassed to say they use it," she said.

"It's there for people who need things, people can afford their housing but they may not afford food. People can do what they can but you really can't live without eating."

She said she's grateful for help — groceries, Christmas hampers, second-hand toys and clothes.

It's important to say thank you to the people who donate and to the staff and volunteers at the food bank, she said.

"They make a big difference to us, and maybe to a lot of people. Maybe a lot of people don't want say so. Maybe they're ashamed, but I'm not. I think you should spread the word. It's good news."

Compston expects to be using the food bank for years to come but says whenever she can, she plans to give back to the service that's helped her so much.