Charities in Kingston warn of increased demand for free lunch programs
As the cost of fruit and vegetables continues to climb, community organizations in Kingston that provide free lunch programs say they are seeing hundreds more people needing their services.
Judy Fyfe is the executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society; she says the group is seeing new faces all the time.
“Alarm bells should be ringing,” she says. “Our community needs to know this is crisis mode.”
At its peak, the charity can serve up to 358 people a day, says Fyfe. That’s up from 140 a few years before. She says the society is averaging a 92 per cent increase in numbers.
Other programs are seeing the same increase. Martha’s Table can serve 450 people per day, a 156 per cent increase over pre-pandemic numbers, according to Executive Director Ronda Candy.
Fyfe says soaring inflation is adversely affecting pensioners and families.
“The folks that show up now are people who were making it before, who didn’t need charitable assistance,” she says. “And now, if they don’t come, they don’t eat.”
This year, the organization is on track to give out more than 50,000 hot meals, and has had to close their dining hall and turn to take-out to keep up with demand.
“The loss is significant,” she says. “This used to be a place where people could come, draw comfort from their peers, feel like they belong.”
Food prices are up 10 per cent.
At Martha’s Table, Candy says costs are increasing and donations are down.
“I feel like that’s a result of everyone else feeling the pinch. Our donors are so supportive and everyone donates what they can,” she explains. “It’s a combination of costs going up and donations going down, and we’re in the middle trying to do more meals than ever. So it’s a real challenge.”
Candy explains that what they’re seeing every day exceeds even what they would see during peak holiday numbers in previous years.
“Previously, our largest meal was Thanksgiving and the Christmas holiday and we cooked for 350 people. We planned ahead, we worked and we cooked turkeys and so on. Now we cook for 450 people every single day. So, it’s busy. You have to put it into context. Every single day is Christmas dinner.”
Fyfe says supportive programs, like St. Vincent de Paul, will always come through, but she continues to be concerned.
“We’re nervous,” she says. “This is not just a little blip. This is year after year increased numbers and nothing on the horizon suggests it’s going to lower.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.