According to the 2024 HungerCount report by Food Banks Canada, Alberta ranks fourth nationally for food bank visits, with 172,832 monthly visits, an over 90 per cent increase between 2019 and 2024.
This aligns with trends observed at the Airdrie Food Bank, which has seen a significant increase in service demand. In July, the food bank assisted approximately 750 families each week, up from 600.
Christine Taylor, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Airdrie Food Bank, highlighted a dramatic rise in usage among seniors. She noted that local families face escalating costs for essentials, including food and utilities, without sufficient support for rent.
The HungerCount 2024 report revealed over two million food bank visits in March 2024, a staggering 90 per cent increase from March 2019.
This alarming trend is attributed to soaring housing and food costs, with nearly 30 per cent of food banks reporting running out of food. Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada, called for urgent collective action to address the root causes of food insecurity.
"This unthinkable growth rate is not something food banks, nor people in Canada, can sustain. The damage is done, and people need immediate support to help them recover. Everyone must come to the table to solve this problem. We cannot do it alone and need help to drive change," Beardsley said.
The report shows that children comprise nearly one-third of food bank clients, equating to approximately 700,000 monthly visits. Additionally, 18 per cent of food bank clients are employed, illustrating that many working individuals cannot afford basic necessities.
Food Banks Canada advocates for policies providing immediate relief to low-income individuals and families, emphasizing the need for a renewed social safety net.
The Hunger report comes several months after the organization released its annual Poverty Report Cards, in which Alberta was given a D minus rank. The Food Bank noted that Alberta's food insecurity rate stood at 27 per cent at that time earning a failing grade.
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