Kanata Food Cupboard sees increase in demand as food, household costs rise
The Kanata Food Cupboard is reporting a steep increase in the number of families reaching out for assistance through the first two weeks of January, as food prices and household costs continue to increase.
"Just the first two weeks of January, compared to January last year, we saw 24 per cent more families representing 22 per cent more individuals, including children, and 89 per cent more new families," said Kaitlyn Lalonde, client and community outreach coordinator at the Kanata Food Cupboard.
"We do serve a rather high volume of families that are new to Canada or find themselves in transitional housing."
Lalonde adds the Kanata Food Cupboard sees several new families a day reaching out for assistance.
A poll from the Angus Reid Institute, released on Friday, showed that 57 per cent of Canadians reported having a difficult time feeding their family recently, up from 36 per cent in 2019.
Statistics Canada reported on Wednesday that Canada's inflation rate in December was the highest since 1991, at 4.8 per cent. Items that saw large year-over-year increases in prices between December 2020 and December 2021 included gasoline, sugar, bacon, white sugar and cooking oil.
Lalonde says client numbers are increasing, and the percentage of new families reaching out to the Kanata Food Cupboard for help each month is "startlingly increasing" as costs for food, gasoline and household essentials increase.
"They're doing the same as you; they're going to grocery stores, they're looking for the items that are on sale or that they can price match and, unfortunately, that's just not available for them," said Lalonde during an interview with Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron on Friday.
"And if they can afford their food, the cost of everything else in their household is going up as well so there's not a leeway for them to really make ends meat."
Lalonde says families also report a lack of winter jackets and boots, as temperatures dip into the -20C range this month.
"The number of families reaching out for assistance with winter basics this year has been astronomical," said Lalonde.
The Kanata Food Cupboard is open for client pickups and deliveries five days a week.
To donate, visit the Kanata Food Cupboard website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
BREAKING Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street