The gift of giving

The holiday season always seems to arrive before I feel ready for it. One day, the air has that damp November chill, and the next, I’m catching the smell of cloves drifting from someone’s kitchen window. It’s funny how quickly the holidays settle in. People start stocking up on baking ingredients, digging out old recipes, and planning the kind of meals that take all afternoon. This time of year tends to wrap itself around us whether we plan for it or not. But while many of us are filling our cupboards for the weeks ahead, some neighbours here on the Island are hoping they can put together something simple for supper. Winter makes that gap feel sharper.

Food insecurity is not a headline for most Islanders. It’s quieter than that, almost hidden, sitting behind closed doors where people try to stretch what they have. I have heard stories from friends who only found out months later that someone on their street was skipping meals to make sure their kids ate first. This Island is small, but the challenges many families face are very real. When the cold sets in and heating bills climb, groceries can quickly become the thing people try to cut back on, even when they can’t afford to.

The part that gives me hope is how many people here step in without fuss or spotlight. Local food banks and community fridges stay busy all year, but winter brings out an extra level of care. Volunteers pack hampers, arrange rides for seniors, and show up in the early morning to prepare warm meals. In some towns, the smell of soup drifting from a church kitchen tells you someone is cooking for more than their own family. These are the kinds of efforts that rarely make the news, but they matter to the people who rely on them.

Helping does not have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as ordinary as picking up a few extra items during your weekly shop or dropping off produce from your own kitchen. Some people choose to donate money because they know it goes straight into fresh food for the week. Others find meaning in giving their time, even if it’s just an hour here and there. I remember a few years ago, working with other volunteers, laughing our way through packing hampers on a stormy afternoon. We worked fast, but we also cared about the details, making sure each box felt thoughtful. That care shows up in ways that are hard to measure but easy to feel.

Food has a way of grounding us. A warm bowl of chilli on a cold night, a slice of homemade bread, a simple meal shared with someone who needed company. These are small moments, but they stay with people. When you give food, you are not just filling a fridge. You are offering comfort, dignity, and a reminder that someone is paying attention.

As the holidays unfold, it helps to look around your own community with a bit more intention. If you can give, even in a small way, your contribution can do more than you might ever hear about. A few groceries dropped off at a food bank, a warm meal prepared for a neighbour, an hour spent helping pack hampers, or even checking in with someone who might be alone, can ease another person’s winter. These gestures don’t have to be perfect or grand to matter. They simply have to be offered. If you feel moved to help this year, reach out to a local food program or volunteer group in your area and lend whatever you can. It could be the difference that carries someone through the season. Happy Holidays!