Cambridge Food Bank sees more regular visitors, dip in donations as higher prices hit people's wallets

In recent months, Dianne McLeod has noticed a trend at the Cambridge Food Bank — people who need food are making more regular visits.

"Previously, like prior to COVID, for example, they might come in at different times of the year, maybe around Christmas, when things were tight financially or when the winter came and heat bills that were coming in and stuff like that," McLeod, the food bank's executive director, told CBC News.

"But what we're seeing now is that people are coming in almost consistently every month for emergency food assistance and we have definitely seen an increase in people."

McLeod said the faces include families, seniors, international students and working individuals who don't make enough money to cover rent, bills and food and are "just not able to make some money stretch as far as it needs to."

Along with that, there's been a "significant dip" in donations, particularly in the boxes at grocery stores and also financial contributions. 

"I think people are just really feeling the pinch at the grocery store and they're trying their best to support their own family and they don't have a lot extra to give to others," McLeod said.

WATCH | Food banks brace for summer of hunger:

It's a story being heard across the country. A new report from Food Banks Canada shows more people struggle to cover the rising costs of food.

The survey, conducted by Mainstreet Research, found almost a quarter of Canadians reported eating less than they should because there wasn't enough money for food. That number nearly doubled for those earning under $50,000 a year.

The survey also found one in five Canadians reported going hungry at least once between March 2020 and March 2022.

The automated telephone interview poll surveyed 4,009 adults from Feb. 25 to March 2. For comparison purposes only, a random sample of the same size would yield a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

McLeod said the Cambridge Food Bank is looking for new and innovative ways to reach people in the city.

They have a mobile food market where people pay a minimum of $5 and can pick up fresh fruit and vegetables. If people are able to pay more, they can and it offsets the costs for those who can't. Anyone can shop at the mobile food market and many do, McLeod said, which lowers the stigma for people who can only pay the minimum.

They also have youth programs to get children and teens into the kitchen to learn about the importance of healthy food. She says that's important as young people will be out of school in a few weeks, and often families need more food. The lessons in the classes show an apple or smoothie is often better than a prepackaged snack.