As Food Insecurity Reaches Crisis Levels, Local South Niagara Food Bank Urgently Calls for Support

Food insecurity in Canada has reached an alarming new high, with over 2 million foodbank visits recorded in March 2024 alone, the highest monthly number in Canadian history. Across the country, food banks are stretched thin, struggling to meet a need that has doubled since 2019. Here in South Niagara, the pressure is no different. Port Cares is calling on the community to step up and make a difference by taking part in the Canal Days 50/50 draw, now live and already over $7,000 and growing.

"This isn't just about a chance to win," says Christine Clark Lafleur, CEO of Port Cares. "This is about putting food on the table for children, seniors, and working families in our community who are facing the hardest times of their lives. Every ticket helps us feed someone who might otherwise go without."

Recent national data shows that one in four Canadians now faces food insecurity, and one in three food bank clients is a child. Rising housing costs, job losses, inflation, and the affordability crisis are pushing more working families and newcomers into situations where food becomes a luxury. For many, turning to a food bank is no longer a last resort, it’s their only option.

"We’re seeing more and more people who have never needed help before," adds Clark Lafleur. "People working full-time, seniors on fixed incomes, newcomers trying to build a better life, and they’re walking through our doors hungry."

Funds raised through the Canal Days 50/50 draw will go directly toward supporting Port Cares’ Reach Out Centre food bank, which serves thousands of individuals across South Niagara every year. Just last year, more than 30% of those served were children.

Tickets for the 50/50 draw are available now at www.portcares5050.ca or in person at Port Cares, 92 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne. Early Bird prizes include a Hisense 43” 4K Smart TV(July 18) and a $500 grocery and gas gift card (August 1), adding even more incentive to get in early and help.

The stakes are high, and so is the need. As food banks across Canada hit a breaking point, community-driven efforts like this one are more critical than ever. Every dollar raised helps a local child go to school with a full stomach, a senior keeps healthy food in their pantry, and a family stay afloat in the face of rising costs.

"When you buy a ticket, you’re not just entering to win," says Lafleur. "You’re standing up for someone in your community. You’re saying: I care, and I want to help."

To learn more about the crisis of food insecurity in Canada, visit Food Banks Canada.

To purchase your tickets, go to portcares5050.ca