Photo: St. Joseph's Food Bank/facebook
Food bank demand is not slowing down, especially as summer arrives and donations traditionally become harder to collect.
St. Joseph’s Food Bank says more than 15,500 individuals were fed in 2025, showing the need remains steady across the community. Local numbers show 32 per cent of clients are children and another 32 per cent are single adults. Parents make up 20 per cent, single parents account for 10 per cent, and couples without children represent six per cent.
The pressure has also grown over time. St. Joseph’s data shows about 7,800 hampers were handed out in 2025, up 28 per cent from about 6,100 in 2023.
The local picture mirrors a wider trend. Feed Ontario says more than one million people used a food bank in Ontario between April 2024 and March 2025, making 8.7 million visits. Food Banks Canada says there were nearly 2.2 million food bank visits across Canada in March 2025 alone, the highest number recorded.
Supporters can help by making cash donations online at stjosephsfoodbank.ca/home or by dropping them off at St. Joseph’s Food Bank at 295 First Avenue in Pembroke.
Food donations can also be made at most grocery stores or in person at the food bank.
Officials say every donation helps keep shelves stocked during a season when the need does not take a break.
