Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley says food banks are being pushed to 'the brink' and low-income Canadians need help immediately.
The organization says it recorded more than two million visits in March 2024 – nearly double the monthly visits five years ago in March 2019, and six per cent above last year’s record-breaking figure.That includes outsized demand from renters, racialized groups, people with disabilities, newcomers to Canada and residents across the North, and a “deeply concerning” need among seniors and families with children.
“HungerCount 2024,” released Monday, says there were 2,059,636 visits to food banks across Canada in March 2024 — up six per cent from 2023 and 90 per cent from 2019. One urgent recommendation is “a groceries and essentials benefit,” which Beardsley said could be achieved by rejigging the existing quarterly GST credit that goes to low-income Canadians.“But we’re asking for it to be increased and made monthly so that it can be a more predictable payment to folks who are really in need,” said Beardsley.“It’s really to offset those essential costs, the increases in rents that people are seeing, the increases in cost of essentials like food.
Food Banks Canada Inflation Poverty Canada Consumer Economy
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Food banks request financial support from Ottawa City Hall to address food insecurityThe Community Services Committee debated the city's new Poverty Reduction Strategy on Tuesday, outlining short-term actions for 2025-26. The five pillars for the strategy are: food security, employment, financial security, economic development, and integrated and simplified pathways.
Read more »
Monthly food bank use soars to record 2 million, driven by cost of groceries, housingTORONTO — Canada’s reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Read more »
Monthly food bank use soars to record 2 million, driven by cost of groceries, housingTORONTO — Canada’s reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Read more »
Monthly food bank use soars to record 2 million, driven by cost of groceries, housingTORONTO — Canada’s reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Read more »
Monthly food bank use soars to record 2 million, driven by cost of groceries, housingCanada’s reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Read more »
Monthly food bank use soars to record 2 million, driven by cost of groceries, housingCanada's reliance on food banks has soared to a grim new milestone, according to data from Food Banks Canada.
Read more »