It has been a record-setting event for food banks in Ontario.
A report from Feed Ontario says more than one million people made almost 8 million visits during the 2023-24 year.
That is a 25% increase over last year and an 86% spike since 2019-20.
Two in five people were first-time users.
Chief Executive Officer Carolyn Stewart says the cost of living is the main driver for the visits.
“What we’ve seen is that for the average cost of a one bedroom in Ontario, people would have to work two and a half minimum wage jobs full-time minimum wage jobs just to afford housing,” says Stewart.
“That’s not all the other expenses someone has in a month. So, if you’re a single individual working on minimum wage, it’s virtually impossible to even afford your most basic necessities every single month.”
Social assistance remains a primary source of income for the majority of food bank visitors.
Stewart says they continue to call on the provincial government to bring Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program rates to a more acceptable level.
“Raising the earned income thresholds helps people keep more income in their pockets as they transition back to work.”
Feed Ontario asks the province to commit to not clawing back the Canada Disability Benefit.
The demand on food banks is having an impact on their ability to provide services.
“Food banks are really being pushed to their limit with almost 40% reporting they’ve been forced to reduce the amount of food they can provide to clients who visit their services just because they’re trying to meet such high demand,” says Stewart.
“And over 50% have explained that they’ve had to cut back on wraparound supports, having been forced to cut or reduce programming because of insufficient resources, so things like home delivery programs, rent, utility subsidies, employment search and training programs are now being reduced so food banks can focus on adjust emergency food provision and keeping their lights on and keeping the doors open.”
Stewart says a new poverty reduction strategy that addresses the root causes of poverty and food insecurity.
Feed Ontario makes several policy recommendations the government could implement.
This includes improvements to labour and employment laws and further investments in affordable housing.
