Inuvik (Dec 20/04) - While Christmas shoppers will fill stores this week seeking last-minute gift ideas, patrons of food banks in both Inuvik and Yellowknife will have no such luxury.

Both food banks are now closed for the season. The Inuvik food bank will not reopen until Jan. 4, while the Yellowknife food bank will reopen Jan. 8.

Ann Kasook, executive director of the Inuvik Transition House Society, said while food bank operations do not affect the society directly, she knows Christmas is a difficult time to make ends meet.

"Large families may be affected and there are many who are not making the right choices who may be affected.

"But we hope other people will be able to assist, such as the Christmas hamper program," Kasook said.

Doug Robertson, president of the Inuvik food bank, said the food bank committee decided it would shut down to give time off to its worker, Annie Thrasher.

"The fact is, people can only visit the food bank every two weeks, in any event, so it works out fairly well," Robertson said.

"The idea of the food bank is that it is never going to fulfill anybody's total food needs. It's a supplement," he added.

Thrasher said those who regularly utilize the food bank are aware of the closure.

"People are coming in and are aware it is closing," she said.

During the season, people requiring food will also be recipients of Christmas hampers, which will be delivered this week.

And those requiring assistance has not declined in any way, Robertson noted.

"The past month has been quite hectic.

"We're a bit concerned that we can keep up with the demand."

But the Inuvik food bank has a broad base of support, he said.

From individual donors who purchase a shopping cart full of groceries, to businesses and various organizations and programs, such as the Food for Fines program at the library and the Northmart donation program, Robertson said support has been tremendous.

"The volume of food going out of there has been greater than at any point in the past year and a half," Robertson said.