The number of new households needing food assistance in the region has jumped by 113 per cent in just a year, according to a new Community Impact Report released by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Over 30 per cent of the people surveyed also said they didn't have money to buy food 

even though they are currently employed or receiving some type of government assistance.

CBC Kitchener-Waterloo Sounds of the Season 2023

Sounds of the Season is a month of giving in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. The campaign officially wrapped Dec. 31, raising $95,507.30 for our neighbours in need.

A woman stands on a stage speaking with a man. Both are speaking into microphones. The background behind them says "make the season kind."

Karen Pal has volunteered more than 1,600 hours at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and tells CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris about why she donates her time during the Sounds of the Season show on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.

Karen Pal food bank volunteer

Karen Pal has volunteered more than 1,600 hours at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and tells CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition host Craig Norris about why she donates her time during the Sounds of the Season show on Dec. 8.

CBC K-W's Sounds of the Season campaign raises over $90K for local food bank

Huge increase in homeowners & full-time workers using Cambridge food bank, report finds

The latest hunger report released by the Cambridge Food Bank shows that more homeowners, full and part-time workers, and first-time users are accessing the service.

A person holds a basket of food donated to the food bank.

Community members are concerned after the number of people using the Vestiare St-Joseph food bank jumped from 600 to 700 in December, and more than 200 of them were children.

Food banks

Dianne McLeod the Executive Director of the Cambridge Food Bank says the people they're speaking to tell them their money isn't going as far as it used to. She says while some say they have lost their jobs, others say they're working two jobs. McLeod points out a lot of people are telling the food bank workers about rent increases. 

"Something must change,"&nbsp;Kim Wilhelm, interim CEO of&nbsp;The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, said&nbsp;in a news release.

"We need strong public policies on social assistance, living wages, and affordable housing to improve the incomes of those living in food-insecure households."

Over 58,600 adults, children, and seniors accessed food assistance this year, equalling a 45 per cent increase compared to data from the Food Bank's previous report.

Here's how to get tickets to CBC K-W's Sounds of the Season live show

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get tickets for CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's Sounds of the Season live show on Dec. 8, as well as how to donate to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

To keep up with the growing demand, the food bank says it distributed&nbsp;7.2&nbsp;million pounds (over&nbsp;3.2&nbsp;million kilograms) of food&nbsp;from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

 currently includes items such as canned fruit and vegetables, dry beans, pasta and rice.

They're also looking for unopened bags of pet food and non-food items like personal-care products, hygiene products and cleaning supplies.

Monetary donations are also welcome. Each dollar donated helps fund two meals at the food bank.

The number of new households needing food assistance in the region has jumped by 113 per cent in just a year. 

Need for food bank donations reaches all-time high in Waterloo region

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