Food banks struggle to support growing numbers of working families, seniors and children
Staff at The Sharing Place Food Bank in Orillia are rushing to keep up with the growing number of people who rely on its services, with the demand for food assistance reaching unprecedented levels.
A long-time food bank client, Sasha Bisio, says the service is crucial to her survival.
"It is a lifeline. It helps me get through the day-to-day," Bisio said.
Like many food banks across Ontario, The Sharing Place has seen a significant surge in the number of people seeking help.
"Our demand for our services has never been so high. We are seeing about 2,500 to 2,600 individuals per month coming through our facility - that's about a 20 per cent to 30 per cent increase year over year," explained The Sharing Place executive director Chris Peacock.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The growing demand has put considerable strain on the food bank's resources and the volunteers who work tirelessly to sort and distribute food to those in need, which now includes people Peacock says have never seen poverty before.
"A lot of dual income individuals, a lot of seniors," he added. "We have gone from 18 per cent food insecurity to 31 per cent food insecurity in one and a half years."
The Barrie Food Bank reportedly supports about 7,000 individuals every month, nearly 40 per cent of whom are children. That's double the number of people at the same time last year and triple the number pre-pandemic.
"Unless there are structural changes - structural policy changes - we are bracing ourselves for a very busy fall," said the food bank's executive director, Karen Shuh.
Shuh noted the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is struggling to meet this year's goals, with less than a week to go.
"We had a Thanksgiving goal of $250,000, and so far, we are short $70,000," she said. "We also have a campaign goal of 150,000 pounds of food and were about 16,000 pounds short."
Shuh said many local families feel pressure to be able to provide a Thanksgiving meal amid rising costs.
"For those who are facing food insecurity, it's a very isolating time of year. And so we find we families that are coming in, and they are experiencing added stress for putting on a festive meal or showing embarrassment that they can't," said Shuh.
To support the Thanksgiving Food Drive, donate online, or drop off a cheque or cash at 42 Anne Street South in Barrie during operating hours.
The food bank also accepts donations of non-perishable food items at designated bins at local grocery stores or directly at the food bank.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
B.C. port employers launch lockout at terminals in labour dispute with workers
Employers at British Columbia ports say they are going ahead with locking out more than 700 foremen across the province after strike activities from union members began.
Months after VRBO booking, Taylor Swift fan told home 'not available' during Vancouver concert
A frustrated Taylor Swift fan is speaking out after being pushed from a short-term rental she booked for the upcoming Vancouver leg of the superstar’s Eras Tour.
Felonies, assassination attempts and a last-minute change on the ticket leads voters to Tuesday's U.S. election
A campaign that has careened through a felony trial, incumbent being pushed off the ticket and assassination attempts comes down to Election Day on Tuesday.
Measles cases in New Brunswick more than double in three days
A measles outbreak declared in New Brunswick’s Zone 3 last week, which includes Fredericton and the upper Saint John River Valley, has more than doubled since last week.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Surprise swing state? Iowa poll has Harris suddenly leading
Based on victories in the past two elections and polls leading up to Tuesday’s election, Donald Trump had seemed almost certain to win Iowa, but a new poll has Kamala Harris with a sudden three-point lead.
Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports
Incendiary devices that ignited in Germany and the United Kingdom in July were part of a covert Russian operation that aimed to start fires aboard cargo and passenger flights heading to the U.S. and Canada, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Monday, citing Western security officials.