Ontario food banks struggle to meet rising demands, report says

Food banks across Ontario are struggling as rising demand outpaces resources according to a new report on food insecurity and poverty research.

A new “Feed Ontario” report shows 40 per cent of food banks in the province have had to reduce the amount of food they provide.

The report also says half of them have also cut essential wrap-around services because of record-high demand and resource shortages.

With over one million people turning to Ontario food banks – a 25 per cent increase over last year – many are being forced to turn people away.

The report includes a video with food bank representatives talking about the increased need in their communities and the challenges they face.

Chief Executive Officer of Port Cares Christine Clarke Lafleur says, “we’re seeing people that we used to see years ago, and we’re seeing people who were donors who have to come for support.”

Food Bank Coordinator for The Hope Centre in Welland Melissa Vieira said, “It’s not a simple,’oh they’re homeless or they don’t have a job’ or anything like that. We’re seeing an increased amount of people who actually have full time jobs.”

The report details economic trends including high housing costs and precarious work that are driving the increase of food bank usage.

The affordability crisis has resulted in fewer people donating, or donors not being able to give as much as they have in years past.

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