Christmas is already on the minds of those who work at the La Bouffe Additionnelle food pantry in Huntingdon. The organization expects to provide food baskets to over 400 households this holiday season, as demand for food aid continues to grow across the region.
The registration period to receive a Christmas basket opened on November 1, and individuals and families will have until the end of the month to sign up. La Bouffe Addittionnelle’s director, Marine Mailloux, says that while they are not certain of the number of registrations they may receive, the organization has been managing a sustained increase in demand for regular monthly food aid.
More than 3,280 food baskets have been distributed over the past year, compared to approximately 1,200 in 2022-2023. This represents an increase of around 173 per cent. “This increase reflects the current economic realities and the growing difficulties experienced by many families in the region,” says Mailloux. The holiday season brings extra expenses and higher heating bills, which add to the financial pressure of the rising cost of living.
“We want to help as many households as possible so that no one is left on a waiting list,” she adds. “We are therefore counting on the generosity of the community to help us fill our baskets for those in need,” she explained, referring to the annual food drive and fundraiser as an “essential initiative that aims to offer a moment of comfort and dignity to families in our community.”
The food pantry has compiled a wish list for donations of non-perishable food items during the campaign, including canned meats and canned legumes, soups, fruits, vegetables, as well as pasta, cereal, oatmeal, tea, coffee, rice, juice, granola bars, cookies, crackers, and cake mixes. La Bouffe is also hoping to receive dish soap, laundry soap, paper towels, other cleaning products, and dog and cat food.
Organizations such as the Huntingdon Regional Minor Hockey Association have already committed to holding food drives, and the Huntingdon Tim Hortons restaurant has donated 400 packages of coffee to help fill Christmas baskets.
“Having the support of a well-known company like Tim Hortons is a major asset to our mission,” says Mailloux, who notes this commitment to the community sends a powerful message of solidarity and social responsibility. “This type of initiative creates a positive ripple effect, encouraging other potential partners to get involved in supporting an essential cause.”
La Bouffe is also accepting online monetary contributions to help prepare Christmas baskets. Non-perishable food donations can be brought directly to the food pantry in Huntingdon.
