10 Sept: In a new report released on Tuesday, Feed Ontario revealed a dramatic increase in food bank usage across the province, highlighting an unprecedented rise in demand. According to the data collected from April 2023 to March 2024, more than one million individuals in Ontario sought help from food banks—a staggering 25 percent increase from the previous year.
During this period, food banks across the province saw a record 7.6 million visits, reflecting a 134 percent surge compared to the 2019-2020 fiscal year. This marks the highest number of food bank visits in eight years, underscoring a troubling trend of escalating need.
Feed Ontario, which encompasses a network of over 1,200 food banks and hunger-relief organizations, described the figures as “completely staggering.” Carolyn Stewart, CEO of Feed Ontario, emphasized that the increase includes a significant rise in working individuals turning to food banks for support.
“The cost of living has surged dramatically, and many are struggling to keep afloat amidst this financial strain,” Stewart stated at a news conference. “Instead of finding relief, more people are being drawn into poverty, facing challenges that make it increasingly difficult to rise above their circumstances.”
The report underscores the severe impact of affordability issues on Ontarians, pointing to a broader crisis of economic hardship that continues to expand.
