'Staggering' rise in food bank use: How London area groups are dealing with it

Just five years ago, about 9,000 people would visit the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank in a typical year. 

By August of this year, there were almost 17,000 visits, with four months still to go in the year. 

"We've probably tripled our numbers in the last three years," said Karen McDade, the food bank's public relations manager. "It's been staggering. This is going to be the busiest year out of all of them, definitely."

The rise in visits to the St. Thomas food bank reflects a national trend.

Feed Ontario released data this week showing food bank use at an all-time high, with more than a million people in the province visiting food banks over a 12-month period, between 2023 and 2024. 

Feed Ontario is a network of more than 1,200 food banks and hunger relief organizations.

In explaining the trend, Feed Ontario cites an affordability crisis made up of high inflation, rising housing costs and a changing job market — all while food bank visits that rose during the pandemic haven't dropped off since. 

Something McDade sees fuelling the St. Thomas visits is an increase from people — including those with steady jobs —who haven't used food banks before. 

"They're just like you and me," she said.

"They're working. They have a job. They own their house. They own their own car ... They're not making enough to sustain their expenses and their bills."

She's also seen an increase in food bank visits from newcomers to Canada, including international students. 

Glen Pearson, co-director of the London Food Bank, said visits often ramp up in the fall. In an average year, the London Food Bank feeds about 6,000 families. 

"There's a large number of new people that have not come to food banks before," he said. 

A huge challenge for London food bank users is Ontario Works (OW) and Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) haven't kept pace with inflation. He said people who receive the provincial supports are regulars at the food bank.

"I think they're losing faith that they're ever going to be able to climb out of this hole," he said. 

Higher food prices hit food banks hard

Stanislav Rajic runs a once-a-month market program at the Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre. Community members can sign up to visit and get food, 80 per cent of which is produce and other perishables.

"The numbers grew during COVID-19," he said. "Once restrictions were removed, we haven't seen a decrease in the usage. The food prices went up, especially produce."

Higher food prices hit food banks hard because it means cash donations don't go as far.

"Milk has gone up to $6.09 for three bags compared to $5.89 a few months ago," said McDade.

Feed Ontario is calling for government action, including more social services funding, at a time when many food banks are launching their Thanksgiving collection drives ahead of the October holiday.