Food Banks Canada report shines light on rising cost of living
Students at the University of Victoria can attest that times are tight.
“Cost of living is a lot, food, everything,” says Hailey Gascoigne, a second-year UVic student.
Gas hitting record highs, housing costs have gone through the roof.
“It’s crazy,” says Gascoigne. "It’s gone up exponentially."
New data released by Food Banks Canada paints a picture of just how tough it has become for some.
One in five Canadians report missing meals because they can’t afford food.
Twenty-three per cent report eating less than they think they should and 61 per cent of Canadians believe that rising housing costs are the biggest barrier preventing Canadians from being able to afford food.
That is putting a huge strain on food banks across the country.
“This speaks to a level of need across the country that we likely have never seen in our history,” says Kirstin Beardsley, CEO of Food Banks Canada.
“Yes, I have accessed the food bank here,” says Emma Skaug, a fourth-year kinesiology student at UVic. “It’s a wonderful service.”
Skaug turns to the food bank two to four times a month.
She says the service saves her roughly $30 to $40 each trip.
“So having access to that and being part of UVSS [the University of Victoria Student Society] really does help me,” she says. “I spend that money on other areas in my life which can help my sporting career and academic career move forward.”
The UVSS, which operates the food bank and a "free store," says demand is extremely high for its services.
Typically demand dwindles heading into the summer months but not this year.
“It’s a tough time to be a food banker in this country,” says Beardsley.
There has been an increased reliance on food banks from within the community. Food costs are rising meaning food bank’s buying power is shrinking and donations are down, she says.
“People's budgets are stretched,” says Beardsley. “So even if you’re not in need of a food bank or you’re not going to food bank, you might not be in a position anymore to give food or funds.”
That is leaving a hole in a service that is in need now more than ever.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.