“And new families that include individuals that own their own home, is up 35%. People are really struggling with the cost of food, cost of gas to get to work.”
“I always said that when the middle class starts being affected by these social issues of this country you’ll start seeing more outrage around the people like, how can this be possible? I have a decent wage, I own my home, I sold my boat now, I sold my wife’s car. Where is the end gonna come?”
Quinlan says they also struggle with the cost of operations at this time of year – each summer food & monetary donations drop up to 45%.
“We spend about $175,000 buying food, which we did last year and that number is gonna go up this year. And the cost of food’s more, so that $175,000 isn’t gonna cut it. Operations, running the vehicle, our deliveries are up.”
Along with cash donations, Gleaners is also in need of items like fresh vegetables, crackers, apple juice, gluten-free products, low sugar and hygiene items.
Quinlan notes Gleaners does not receive funding from United Way.
She says they are currently promoting Benevity which is an Employee Deduction Program and are asking medium and small companies to consider joining.
Quinlan adds that employees really have been overworked this last couple of years and that they are looking for more volunteers to start this fall.
She says they have been blessed this summer to receive six Summer Service Canada Students, the first time they have had help through the program but once they are gone in late August, more help will be needed.
