He never thought he'd rely on food hampers. But he's one of a growing number of people who do
CBC
CBC N.L. has launched its annual campaign in support of the Community Food Sharing Association and local food banks ahead of Feed N.L. Day on Dec. 15. Visit cbc.ca/bekind for more information and help make the holidays brighter for those in need.
Twice a month, Stephen Hillier gets food hampers delivered to the front doorstep of his home in St. John's.
One is a "regular" hamper, filled with items like milk, sugar, butter and bread. The other has fewer items — it's for emergencies.
It's just enough to survive, says Hillier.
He never thought his life would turn out this way.
"It's not easy, put it that way," said Hillier. "It is depressing. [I] gets depressed over it, but I keeps looking at the positive side of it. Things is gonna change for the better, and someday it will."
Hillier turns 60 next summer, which means he qualifies for food hamper delivery services offered by non-profit organization Connections for Seniors.
The group's food security program provides residents 55 years and older on the northeast Avalon Peninsula with food hampers and grocery shopping support.
When Hillier talks about the food delivery service, he can't help but sigh and say, "Thank God."
Originally from Jackson's Arm in western Newfoundland, Hillier had to move to St. John's in 2019 to be closer to hospitals and health-care services.
He previously worked as a home-care worker, helping people with disabilities. But he's been battling a variety of health issues such as kidney stones and hypertension for around 10 years and had to leave his job due to illness in 2014.
Having to stop working got Hillier down, he said.
"It's like losing something, meant something to you, a lot to you and stuff. My whole life changed due to that. Got me where I'm to today."
The money from his job dried up within a couple of years, he says, as he had to pay out of pocket for his transportation to and from the west coast to St. John's for medical appointments.
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