As the holidays approach, outreach groups are working to give people in the community a bit of extra support.
On Thursday, Members of the Sikh and Muslim communities met at the legislative building to voice their concerns about high food prices and the cost of living.
Hem Juttla is the director of Guru Nanak Free Kitchen, a group which feeds those in need weekly. He said the people they serve are dealing with a range of issues and the cost of food has made things even tougher.
“It’s beyond my wildest dream to come to Canada and see people lining up for food,” he said. “We can provide food but there is lots of other things happening in the background.”
The Muslim Food Bank has also seen a rise in the need for their services. They are seeing an upward trend for those needing food.
“There are lots of families who are struggling just buying groceries. What we do is we give them a little extra so they can get by. We are seeing an increase over the last few years,” said Radha Haque from the Muslim Food Bank.
Last weekend, Juttla said the lineup to their meal giveaway was one of the biggest they have seen.
With the holidays nearing, they are preparing for an even bigger crowd ahead.
According to a recent Angus Reid poll, families are struggling the most with the cost of living.
“Something provincially that we put forward is to take PST off things that are essential, like groceries and children’s clothing,” Shadow Social Services Minister Brent Blakley said.
In a statement to CTV News, the Government of Saskatchewan said while the province is the most affordable place in Canada to live, work, and raise a family, they recognize that people are facing cost of living pressures like other Canadians.
“That’s why we have taken many steps to keep lives in Saskatchewan affordable by recently passing the Saskatchewan Affordability Act. This will implement 13 affordability commitments announced during the election -12 personal income tax and one cooperate tax commitment,” the statement read.
