Urgent call to action as reliance on local foods banks hits 40-year high

Local food banks are renewing their appeal for help as Hunger Action Month begins.

Local food banks are renewing a call for help as they face a prolonged period of unprecedented demand.

September is Hunger Action Month and the Food Bank of Waterloo Region and the Cambridge Food Bank have teamed up with other organizations across the country to raise awareness about the needs of the community.

Last year, more than 73,000 people in Waterloo Region relied on food assistance programs. According to the food banks, that meant one in eight households accessed support – representing the highest level of need in more than 40 years.

They hope to turn concern into concrete action by asking supporters to sign a petition calling on the provincial and federal governments to implement several policy recommendations put forward by Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada. The suggestions go beyond food insecurity in hopes of tackling some of the root causes of poverty, including a lack of affordable housing, social assistance programs and living wages.

The local food banks said they would to share that petition with politicians to show that people living in Waterloo Region are united in support of their neighbours.

The food banks will also be hosting a pop-up outreach event at Waterloo Public Square on Sept. 12 from noon until 1 p.m. People who stop by can learn more about the petition and local efforts to tackle food insecurity.

The food banks have also put out the call for volunteers, non-perishable food donations and financial contributions to support their work.