Over one million Ontario residents last year visited a food bank.
That indicator of a surging affordability crisis in the province was contained in data released this past Tuesday (Sept. 10) by Feed Ontario.
Digging further into the report, food banks in the province were visited 7.6 million times over the year, an increase of 134 per cent from 2019-20.
It marks an all-time high and the eighth straight year an increase has been recorded.
Feed Ontario unites food banks, industry partners and communities as it strives to end poverty and hunger.
Following the release of the data, we sought input from Karen McDade, Manager of Public Relations and Administration at the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank.
The report spoke of long lines, empty shelves and a growing concern some food banks may have to close.
McDade told myFM about a day they experienced last week.
According to the Feed Ontario data, 69 per cent of food banks in their network are concerned about not having enough food to adequately provide support to those in need.
McDade stresses they no longer have a surplus of any items. For example, every two weeks they go through 365 cartons of eggs.
She added, “We’re here to feed the people and we’re just at the staples.
“We’re not purchasing hygiene products, toilet paper, shampoo or dish soap anymore. Luckily, we’ve had some donations of those items.”
Another factor, noted McDade is household size.
September is Hunger Action Month a time, noted Feed Ontario CEO Carolyn Stewart, “to work to reduce poverty in your community. Feed Ontario recommends advocating for improvements to Ontario’s social assistance programs, the creation of quality employment, and investments that help make the cost of living more affordable.”
To learn how to assist the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank, visit http://stthomaselginfoodbank.org.
For more information on Feed Ontario, visit http://feedontario.ca
