As prices rise, P.E.I. charities challenged to serve growing need
CBC
As basic goods get pricier, it's not just food banks and soup kitchens that are having to address a growing need.
Other charities in Prince Edward Island are also seeing a huge demand for their programs, with many organizations saying they're overwhelmed.
Andrea MacDonald, CEO of P.E.I.'s United Way, said many of the local charities her organization supports are struggling to meet the need that's out there.
"We're hearing there's a huge increase in demand of people who are reaching out for support," MacDonald said.
"It's scary. We've got a lot of people who need help to really be meeting their basic needs."
MacDonald said many requests are related to food, housing, childcare and transportation costs.
She said on top of inflation, Island residents are still reeling from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and post-tropical storm Fiona.
Staff at local charities are suffering from burnout due to the growing demand, MacDonald said, adding that it would be great to have more stable government supports in place to help charities because many just rely on year-to-year funding.
United Way also operates the province's 211 service, which connects Islanders with social and government services.
MacDonald said about 60 per cent of the calls they received last month were from people looking for help paying for basic needs.
BGC Prince County Summerside (formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Summerside) is one of the organizations that gets funding from United Way.
The group offers a wide range of activities and food supports, from breakfast programs to emergency food delivery to families.
Executive director Adam Binkley said the breakfast program has been running for 25 years, but numbers have doubled recently, and they're helping as many as 90 families each morning.
The organization now has a wait list of people needing help.
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