Food Banks Canada released their HungerCount 2024 report, detailing food bank visits across the country in March 2024.
A total of 2 million visits were logged in Canada, with 52,877 of those taking place across 39 food banks in Saskatchewan.
Michael Kincade, executive director of Food Banks of Saskatchewan, spoke about the children included in the count. “Across Canada, the number is 30 per cent children, but here in the Prairies, in Saskatchewan, we jump up to 39 per cent. That’s alarming for our province for sure.”
Kincade added that while none of their 36 food bank members in Saskatchewan reported having to turn people away, some were close to having to close, and did have to take measures to adjust the amount of food distributed. “We jumped in, and Food Banks Canada helped, and we were able to keep them afloat for the time being.”
Between 2019 and 2024, food bank usage in the province has increased by 42.1 per cent, and Kincade said the growing costs of housing and food inflation are primary factors driving that demand.
"With such a high increase of cost of living, it’s really hurt donations as well,” he added.
Of all households accessing food banks in the country in March 2024, 69.5 per cent of them lived in market rentals, and a further 12.8 per cent lived in social housing.
The report also shows that 18 per cent of those using food banks in Canada are employed.
Kincade said food banks in Saskatchewan have been seeing an increase in double income families using the food bank. “We’re seeing families report that parents will go without meals to make sure their kids have food.”
Food banks in Canada reported that 32 per cent of their clients were newcomers to the country, having been here for 10 years or less, with almost 80 per cent of those having arrived within the last two years.
The report outlines a number of recommendations for government, including increased access to affordable housing and helping those with low incomes to meet their needs.
Kincade said people can continue to help their local food banks through donations. “Right now, produce – everybody's got maybe a little extra in their gardens – that is well needed and appreciated at this time of year.”
With their increased purchasing power, Kincade said monetary donations are also appreciated. “Funds really help us purchase those quality ingredients that we don’t normally see donated to food banks.”
He added that everyone knows someone using a food bank. “It could be your neighbour, it could be a family member. Times are tough right now, and people are struggling all across Saskatchewan, all across Canada.”