A small, volunteer-based Moncton charity answered 511 calls in 2022 and helped people with rent, utilities, food, furniture, transport and education.

By comparison, the group answered 318 calls in 2021.

Conference Mother Teresa of the Saint-Vincent de Paul Society is a registered non-profit which was founded in 2016 by a small group of women in Moncton.

About 45 percent of those who needed help last year were on social assistance and the majority said up to 74 percent of their revenue was needed to pay rent.

Composed of a dozen volunteers, Rose Marie Bourgeois and Auréa Cormier provided an update on the organization to Moncton City Council on Monday.

The group is advocating for more subsidized housing, transitional housing and support for people coming out of addiction programs.

They also said better communication and collaboration was needed between agencies and other non-profits.

Following the presentation, Mayor Dawn Arnold told the group they seemed very alone in their work and she asked city staff to help them connect with others.

“It is a heavy burden to be carrying as one organization and there are a lot of good organizations. Maybe we can find a way to connect you so that you don’t feel so burdened and know that there are others that are working to find better solutions as well.”

In terms of dealing with social problems, Arnold told the group that she’s hopeful about the future and believes the province is now stepping up and showing greater accountability.