By Philip Oddi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Vankleek Hill Review
September 23, 2024
Feed Ontario, a food bank network, recently released troubling numbers on food bank use in the province. Regional food banks are faring no better.
In the report, Feed Ontario explains that food banks in the province have seen their use increase 25 per cent from April 2023 to March 2024, compared to the same period in 2022-2023. This resulted in over 1 million Ontarians visiting a food bank at least once this past year, about 7 in 100. These concerning statistics come as many individuals in the province, and throughout the rest of Canada, struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living and inflation.
2023-2024 is now the eighth consecutive year that food bank use in Ontario has increased.
Concerns are being shared among the region’s food banks, including the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank (HCFB), the L’Orignal Food Bank (LOFB), and Alexandria’s food bank, run by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
HCFB’s coordinator, Jeanne Charlebois, confirmed that 694 people were served by the food bank in April 2023, with the number significantly increasing to 901 in March 2024. The resulting rise in use came to approximately 29.3 per cent over the year. Given that Hawkesbury has a total population of 10,194 people, this means that almost 1 in 10, or 10 per cent of the town’s residents, have accessed HCFB’s services.
Alexandria’s food bank, again, fares no better.
President of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and food bank overseer in Alexandria, Suzanne Gareau, claimed that there was approximately a 25 per cent increase from this point last year. She also says that they are seeing more working singles and families needing their services.
From January until the end of December 2023, the food bank was seeing about 130 families per month. From January to August 2024, the number of families rose to 162 per month. Many people who utilized the food bank were primarily elderly, on pension, or provincial social services including ODSP or Ontario Works. Of these total numbers, 74 individual clients were single, or couples, with children.
The story is not much different when taking into account L’Orignal’s numbers.
Jo-Anne Poirier, Food Bank Coordinator and volunteer for LOFB, stated there was an increase of 10 per cent in people accessing the food bank from this point last year. Approximately 50 families per month were served by LOFB between April 2023 and March 2024.
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These are clear signs that the populations of Hawkesbury, Alexandria, and L’Orignal are struggling to feed themselves. The significant increase in food bank usage across the region signifies that these essential community services are needed and serve as the backbone for vulnerable populations. Behind every statistic is a family, friend, or neighbour who is relying on the local generosity of others just to get by. Individuals are always encouraged to donate time and resources to local food banks to help those in need in the community.