As COVID-19 hits jobs, food bank in Vaughan in ‘desperate’ need for donations

Increased demand for Food and low donations due to COVID-19 are being felt at Humanity First in Vaughan

Yorkregion.com
April 14, 2020
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Vaughan-based Humanity First Food Bank used to serve an average of 20 to 30 families on a daily basis, but this number has almost doubled to 50 to 60 families, says its chair.

Aslam Daud, Humanity First chair, told Yorkregion.com that these figures are as of April 11, since “every day, there is an increase in numbers” due to COVID-19 impacting people’s income as some are already experiencing job losses.

Daud said Humanity First would need about half a million dollars for the next three months in food donations and supplies as opposed to the food bank’s average of $150,000 to $200,000 before COVID-19.

On April 9, Humanity First issued a statement calling for “urgent food donations.”

Humanity First, which is providing food hampers for a month’s supply, described that the other factors contributing to the “sharp increase in food demands,” include decreased donations as well as the effect of what it described as “lockdown, food drives can’t be held.”

It also described how a large number of people including, seniors, sick, single parents and families without income are now relying on Humanity First Food Bank.

Humanity First’s online food bank is serving people across GTA and it’s open seven days.

With its “frontline volunteers are tirelessly working extra-long hours to meet the ever growing needs of people in distress,” Daud, said, the numbers of volunteers have “decreased.”

“Due to lockdown and fear, many volunteers are not coming these days,” he added.

To sustain the demand and services Humanity First Food Bank provides, we are appealing everyone to urgently donate online at www.humanityfirst.ca.