The number of requests for help explode at food banks

The Food Banks of Quebec network is no longer able to meet the high demand which has exploded by 33% since the pandemic.

The number of requests for help explode at food banks

The Food Banks of Quebec network is no longer able to meet the high demand which has exploded by 33% since the pandemic.

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According to the 2022 Hunger Report released on Thursday, some 671,000 people use food banks each month, while the number of requests for food aid has increased by 375,000 in one year to reach more than 2.2 million.

The majority of the 1,200 organizations served by the network have run out of food over the past year, pushing many of them to resort to purchases, in the midst of inflation which has caused prices to explode.

Food banks are also seeing a 43% increase in grocery basket services and an exponential 138% increase in portions delivered by Meals on Wheels.

According to figures from the network, 34% of food aid recipients are children, 42% of food aid applicants are households with children, while two out of five applicants are people living alone.

The Food Bank network says it will need government support, as a possible recession risks compounding the problems caused by the pandemic and the effects of inflation.

"Our network is currently under great pressure in the face of growing demand [...] We are asking the government for more support to help us feed vulnerable people," said Martin Munger, director general of Food Banks of Quebec.

“We also invite companies, players in the agri-food sector and the population who are able to help to do so, by supporting our network with donations of food or money,” he urged.

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