York Region food banks face uncertainty as coronavirus panic buying leaves store shelves empty

Agency employees lining up for hours at Costco to get Lysol cleaners, soap or toilet paper, Vaughan Food Bank head says

Yorkregion.com
March 19, 2020
Simone Joseph and Sheila Wang

York Region food banks are facing uncertainty and some officials are growing concerned as fear about the rapidly spreading coronavirus has triggered panic buying of food, toiletries and other essential items leaving store shelves bare in many communities.

“There has been a noticeable difference that we’re not getting as much as before from the retail support centres,” said Alex Bilotta, executive director of Food Bank of York Region, formerly known as LifeCorps.

The Food Bank of York Region — a charitable network that collects and delivers food for community food pantries, agencies and non-profit housing cooperatives across the region — hasn’t changed its delivery models because a great number of people rely on the regular deliveries of food in the community, he said.

The network that served more than 23,000 people in 2019 has seen a significant growth in demand this year, he said, noting it was not a direct result of the COVID-19 concerns.

In the meantime, there has been a “noticeable” decline in the amount of donations, Bilotta said.

As hoarding spurred by new cases of the COVID-19 has left shelves empty in the stores, Bilotta said he’s worried less funding will be raised during this year’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign run in partnership with Walmart.

“With the combination of less funding and more demand, it’s gonna be a challenging year.”

Cashiers at the No Frills in Richmond Hill Thursday, March 12 dealt with lineups that extended around the store. Many people were stocking up on items including canned goods, paper towels, facial tissue and toilet paper. | Steve Somerville/Torstar

Judy Poulin is concerned about a possible increase in demand at the Newmarket Food Pantry.

With schools closed, "kids at home will need milk, fruit. That will have an impact,” said the executive director of the Newmarket Food Pantry.

The food bank is planning to implement new procedures to minimize the number of people at the Newmarket food bank.

Starting March 16, the food bank was minimizing the number of people in the waiting room; for example, limiting the number of people to eight or 10, rather than 25 or 30 people.

Beginning in April, clients may have to call in for an appointment, rather than just dropping in.

The food bank also hopes to minimize the number of volunteers and operate on a skeleton staff.

They always have volunteers sorting food, but may reduce to a minimal amount of sorters. Another option the pantry is considering is hampers. This option would still provide food, but clients would call ahead, order a hamper and come in to pick it up.

Though the food bank wasn't facing a shortage of supplies last week, but Poulin anticipated it could become an issue.

The situation could quickly change if people can’t work, and the food bank sees an increase in clients.

"It’s hard to predict. If people are quarantined, they can’t shop or provide donations. The food bank may need to buy a lot of food. We would need funds for this. We would need to reach out to the public," she said. “If this hits — if there’s a lot of people quarantined, can’t go to work and live paycheque to paycheque — they need to have food. If we can’t help, that’s a concern.”

But Poulin also pointed out the Newmarket community has been great and supportive. “Whenever we needed help, the community stepped forward. I’m hopeful that will continue.”

Judy Poulin, executive director of the Newmarket Food Pantry, is concerned about a possible increase in demand as GTA retailers shelves are being cleaned out by people stockpiling goods due to fears about the spread of coronavirus. | Steve Somerville/Torstar
Richmond Hill Food Bank

In Richmond Hill, as of March 13, both donations and demand remained unchanged at the food bank.

“We don't yet see any change in either the level of donations or the demand from the clients. We continue to be very busy serving clients, some days busier than others,” said Marney Beck Robinson, board member and volunteer of the food bank.

There has been a shortage of food this past week at the food bank, which he board member said might be a result of the strong demand from customers at grocery stores.

“There were no leftovers or extra stock (of bread) for our food bank,” Robinson said on Mar. 13.

She said the food bank is hoping to fill the shelves over the next few weeks at the upcoming Easter food drive.

Vaughan Food Bank

Peter Wixson of the Vaughan Food Bank says the agency has been inundated with calls from homeless shelters and other outreach agencies asking which goods they still have on shelves and disclosing which goods they need.

Agency employees have been lined up for hours at Costco or calling to see whether they have Lysol cleaners, soap or toilet paper.

What scares him most is peoples’ anxiety.

“It’s a paranoia. That’s what I’m scared about.”

If you’re thinking of donating, local food banks could use donated money; canned meat or fish, such as salmon or tuna; baby needs-related items like formula; or other staples, such as juice, pasta or sauce.