More than 5,800 people received community support over the holidays

LETHBRIDGE — Several Lethbridge community organizations joined together for the 12th consecutive year to help 5,825 people over the holidays with food hampers, toys and other supplies including 1473 households.
 
The Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank, Salvation Army, Lethbridge Family Services- Angel Tree and My City Care- Shop of Wonders, planned and prepared to serve 6,700.
 
The organizations say joining forces and streamlining registration procedures allowed them to increase the quality of support for local families, while also limited duplication of services. According to the groups, it was particularly helpful for toy distribution agencies because families received toys from only one agency this year.
 
Maral Kiani Tari, Executive Director with the Lethbridge Food Bank says the holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year.
 
“Cold months in combination with the Christmas season can be expensive for our clients, which is why we see an increased demand at our agencies. Many of our families only require help for November, December and January while they do well on their own the rest of the year.”
 
Food stocks, according to the food banks have returned to a more manageable level for the time being.
 
The organizations say while they are grateful they were able to meed this year’s demand, each of them will continue to recruit support throughout 2019, and note that there was a substantial drop in financial donations.