York Region food bank seeks support to meet rising food costs

'So far in 2023, the number of people accessing our network has increased by over 20 per cent in comparison to the same period in 2022,' says Food Bank of York Region CEO

Newmarkettoday.ca
April 5, 2023

With the rising costs of food, fuel and rent affecting both food banks and their clients, the Food Bank of York Region is appealing to the community to make cash donations to its spring fundraising campaign.

The Food Bank of York Region, which serves as the region’s food distribution hub, has expanded its programs to provide food aid to more households facing food insecurity, and a school food program currently serving food-insecure children in 21 schools across the region, the charity stated in a news release.

In the first quarter of 2023, their network of 75 food service providers experienced a 107 per cent increase of first-time clients compared to the first quarter of 2022.

 “We are seeing a significant rise in demand for food assistance in the region, in particular for low-income households,” said Alex Bilotta, the Food Bank of York Region’s founder and CEO. “So far in 2023, the number of people accessing our network has increased by over 20 per cent in comparison to the same period in 2022.”

Soaring costs of groceries continue to contribute to rising food insecurity in Canada, as more households struggle to put food on the table, according to a FBYR news release. Canada’s Food Price Report 2023 predicted that families would spend up to $1,065 more on food in 2023, representing an increase of five to seven per cent, but according to Statistics Canada food prices rose by 10.6 per cent in February.

York Region’s 211 Frontline Report for February 2023 noted that “calls for food banks, food hamper delivery and grocery vouchers remain high.” Increased demands have been placed on food programs across York Region, such as the Food Bank of York Region, which has launched its spring fundraiser campaign (April 4 to April 25) to meet the increased need.

“We are depending more than ever on the community to provide our programs and to reach people in the community experiencing food insecurity,” Bilotta said.