Nearly 600,000 people accessed Ontario food banks last year, report finds
Food bank usage in Ontario rose 10 per cent during the first year of the pandemic to the highest levels since the recession, a new report has found.
Nearly 600,000 people made more than 3.6 million visits to food banks in Ontario between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, according to an annual report from Feed Ontario, a collective of hunger-relief organizations in the province.
Siu Mee Cheng, the interim executive director of the group, said COVID-19 has exacerbated the income insecurity and affordability issues in the province.
"This is an extremely alarming trend," she said in an interview.
"The pandemic has had an impact on individuals and families and, as a result, they are coming to the food banks."
The number of those who needed basic food support has increased by 10 per cent this year compared to the year before -- the highest single-year rise since 2009, said the report.
The document reflects data collected by 132 food banks and 1,100 affiliated social support organizations in Ontario.
Cheng said the current social safety programs in the province, including Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program, are not comprehensive and those who rely on them still end up needing to access food banks.
"They represent 59 per cent of all food bank visitors," she said. "Social assistance programs are not sufficient enough to support individuals to purchase foods that they need and address their hunger issues."
Meanwhile, less than one per cent of those who accessed food banks were receiving the Canada Emergency Response Benefit that the federal government introduced to help those who lost their jobs due to COVID-19.
"The CERB benefit was doing what it needed to do. It allowed individuals to secure the basic necessities of life, including food," Cheng said.
The report shows that 86 per cent of food bank visitors are rental tenants rather than social housing tenants and more than 50 per cent of theme cited that housing and utilities costs forced them to seek basic food support.
"Housing affordability is a huge reason in terms of driving individuals to food banks," Cheng said.
The number of food bank users who were 65 years or older has increased by 36 per cent since last year and by 64 per cent since 2008.
The report found that older adults are nearly twice as likely to access a food bank compared to those under 65 years of age. It also found that a third of food bank users were people with disabilities.
"That is a really sad and concerning trend that we're seeing right now in society," Cheng said. "Some of the most vulnerable individuals ... are having to face hunger issues and that they are needing to turn to food banks in order to relieve some of those hunger issues."
The financial crisis in 2008 resulted in a similar spike in the number of people who used food banks, Cheng said, and the impact of that crisis lasted for more than two years.
When people lose their employment income, they usually exhaust all their resources including their savings and any support they may get from their families and friends before they access food banks, she said.
"When the pandemic ends, the impact on individuals going to the food banks will continue several years after," she said. "We do not anticipate for several years that the numbers will decline, sadly. It will probably continue to increase."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 30, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.