For York Region residents who are struggling to make ends meet, the holidays can be a time of hardship rather than celebration.
"With the cost of food and rent at a 30-year high, a growing number of people are facing food insecurity in York Region, according to the Food Bank of York Region.
The food bank said it has experienced a 25 per cent increase in demand for food assistance.
The regional food bank serves as the food distribution hub for a network of more than 80 food pantries, including the Newmarket Food Pantry, as well as schools.
Food Banks Canada’s recent report on food insecurity in 2023 paints a bleak picture of rising food insecurity, with nearly seven million Canadians struggling to put food on the table, according to the Food Bank of York Region.
In their recent report, Feed Ontario stated that 2022 and 2023 represented the largest single-year increases of food bank usage ever recorded by Ontario’s food bank network.
“Many people in the region are struggling to put food on the table, resulting in a surge in demand for food assistance throughout our network,” said Alex Bilotta, founder and CEO of the Food Bank of York Region. “Rising costs of rent and food have rendered low-income and working-poor households vulnerable to food insecurity, as well as seniors, school-aged children and people dependent on social assistance.”
The Food Bank of York Region and its partner network of non-profit food and meals providers is committed to alleviating food insecurity for York Region’s most vulnerable residents. FBYR is appealing to the public and to businesses and food retailers to help meet the need for households facing food insecurity.
This holiday season, you can partner with the Food Bank of York Region to ensure that every family can celebrate the season.
Donate at www.fbyr.ca/donate.
