Hunger doesn’t hibernate, and as we look forward to warmer temperatures and the reawakening of nature in spring, the stark reality is that more and more people in Canada are living paycheque to paycheque just to make ends meet.

Food Banks Canada is focused on supporting the network of 10 Provincial Associations and more than 4,750 hunger relief organizations working from coast to coast to coast, and as inflation has spiked over the winter months, so have stories of households who look at their rent payment or hydro bill and ask themselves, “Do I heat or do I eat?”

As our current HungerCount report points out, this past year’s economic climate has seen an increasing number of seniors and people living on fixed incomes walk through the doors of food banks for the first time. People who are employed (or were recently employed) are turning to food banks more often because their incomes are still too low to make ends meet, even with a job. Students who may have had enough funds budgeted for their academic years are now being forced to turn to their local food banks as well. Many families, even those with parents working full-time, are struggling to provide for their households as the cost of living continues to rise.

To help tackle food insecurity, Loblaw customers will have the opportunity to contribute to the national Feed More Families Spring Food Drive, in support of their local food banks. From March 30 to April 13, Canadians can donate most-needed, non-perishable food items in-store to the donation bin or make a monetary donation at checkout at any participating Loblaw grocery store. The company will also be matching customer donations up to $100,000 to support Food Banks Canada’s mission.

Here are some of the items that food banks need most:

• Whole grain foods like oatmeal, barley, high-fibre cereals or whole-grain pasta 
• Lean proteins from foods like canned fish and meat; plant proteins like peanut butter, beans, and lentils
• Canned fruit and vegetables 
• Milk alternatives like shelf-stable milk, powdered milk, almond milk, and rice milk
• Monetary donations are by far the best donation you can make to your local food bank

With 100 per cent of food and cash donations being directed to local food banks, Food Banks Canada CEO Kirstin Beardsley says the Feed More Families Spring Food Drive is expected to strengthen the capabilities of food banks at the local level to provide fresh, healthy food to the communities they serve.

“Food banks across the country are seeing the highest number of working families than ever before. Parents are having to ask themselves, ‘Am I going to pay rent this month or buy food for my kids?’” Beardsley said. “As we continue to advocate for long-term solutions, we are grateful for the support of generous partners like Loblaw Companies Ltd. who help ensure food bank shelves are stocked through initiatives like the Feed More Families Spring Food Drive.”

Thanks to the support and generosity of Loblaw and their customers, in 2022, the Spring Food Drive raised over $1 million and more than 1.2 million pounds of food. This year, they are aiming to exceed this.