The crisis is growing for local food banks.
St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank officials report a 50% jump in usage over the past three years.
“This is just a difficult time for all of us. It can suffocate, it really can,” Administrator Karen McDade said.
She told CTV News London that staff and volunteers were overwhelmed by the surge in demand.
Most of the newcomers are middle-class families struggling to make ends meet.
Volunteers prepare food baskets filled with available items at the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank on May 10, 2024. (Sean Irvin/CTV News London)
“They have two or three children, if not more,” McDade said. “They're a couple, but they can't make ends meet. They ask, 'Will I feed the children?' Or will you be paying the mortgage, utilities, and rent? ”
A visual example of the growing need is evident along the back wall of the food bank. More than 250 crates, usually filled with food, are now empty.
“The boxes in the back are always full. We don't buy boxed food anymore. I buy on the skids,” McDade admitted.
Corporate donations from local business newcomers Amazon and Maple Leaf Foods have helped, but McDade said the requests continue.
May 10, 2024, St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank volunteers Jan Schleihauf and Jenny Carswell. (Sean Irvin/CTV News London)
Volunteers are feeling the pinch as they rush to prepare supplies for distribution.
“The need is immense. It's unbelievable,” said Jan Schleihauf. “I count my blessings every day.”
Jenny Carswell, who has been volunteering for 12 years, is among those appealing for food and cash donations, saying, “We need more help, more money, more food.”
Grayson Kelly, 13, agrees.
Grayson Kelly, 13-year-old food bank volunteer, May 10, 2024 (Sean Irvine/CTV News London)
A homeschooled food bank volunteer believes community awareness campaigns are needed to combat food insecurity.
“When I was a student, it certainly wasn't a topic of conversation,” Kelly said.
CTV News London requested real numbers to compare usage over a five-year period at the St. Thomas Food Bank.
The results are as follows.
2019 — 9,056 (supplied to client) 2020 — 8,230 2021 — (unavailable) 2022 — 13,462 2023 — 19,424 2024 — (year-to-date) 8,062
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