Video by Jessica Mazze
Fewer donations and social distancing orders are hurting efforts to feed the hungry.
Olivea Folkes | October 30, 2020
1min. read
COVID-19 has caused major food shortages, leaving many individuals across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in a position of food insecurity. Many food banks across the city were not prepared for the lack of donations.
“In March 2019 we had a million pounds worth of food that was donated to us,” said Neil Hetherington, CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank. “March 2020 that number was 300,000 pounds [of food], so a 70 per cent decrease in the amount of food that was being donated.”
According to Statistics Canada, one in seven Canadians are experiencing food shortages during the pandemic. Many food banks have seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of clients needing their services.
Neil Hetherington Interviewed By Jessica Mazze
Food banks across the Greater Toronto Area rely on community support to maintain a decent standard of giving, the majority of local food banks are run entirely by volunteers.
Ryan Galloway from Food Not Bombs Toronto, says that every Sunday at Allen Gardens they do there best to service the needy in a non invasive way. However COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing orders have made the task of distributing food much harder
“If you line up we help you,” said Ryan Galloway.
GTA Food banks like Daily Bread and Food Not Bombs Toronto see on average help see on average or help an average of 100,000 clients a month. They distribute food baskets to their clients in need and to other food banks experiencing shortages during the pandemic.
Media by Sam Fleming
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