Newmarket Food Pantry serving record numbers of residents facing financial hardship

Organization's executive director, Adrian Bain, asks community to donate to holiday food drives

yorkregion.com
Dec. 5, 2023

As more people struggle with high interest rates and financial hardship, record numbers of residents are relying on the Newmarket Food Pantry to put food on the table, executive director Adrian Bain said.

He’s hoping the community will donate to the pantry, including at a drive running until Dec. 24 at the Real Canadian Superstore at 18120 Yonge St. in East Gwillimbury just north of Newmarket, where food and money will be collected for the pantry.

Donations can also be dropped off at the pantry Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1251 Gorham St. units 8 and 9.

Bins accepting food donations are also located at Metro, No Frills and Vince’s Market grocery stores.

“The demand for our services has never been greater. November was our busiest month on record, with 1,969 individuals served, an increase of 68 per cent usage from just two years ago,” Bain said.

“We are seeing more children, seniors and working families also use our services more than ever, with one in six clients in the workforce. Two-thirds of food bank visitors have less than $100 left each month after paying for housing costs. These numbers are not sustainable.”

The importance of giving is felt especially during the holidays, Bain said.

“Newmarket is a very special community. There is a true sense of altruism and wanting to help those in need without asking for anything in return. The beautiful part of this concept, however, is the benefits that it brings,” he said.

“Giving back not only creates a better community for all of us, but (there is also) the individual benefits of feeling connected, a sense of pride and accomplishment, belonging and purpose and just being happier, ultimately creating a better world for all of us and future generations.”

The pantry is most in need of monetary donations, school snacks, baked beans, canned pasta, pasta sauce, canned proteins and personal hygiene products.

“It’s no surprise that, after a year of tremendous economic uncertainty, a record number of our community members are turning to Newmarket Food Pantry to meet their needs,” Bain said.

“In fact, in Ontario alone, there has been a 100.6 per cent increase in food bank use since 2019. Simply put, reliance on food banks across Canada is at an all-time high.”