Hamilton’s emergency food services reaching capacity: committee

In a statement made last Wednesday, the Hamilton Emergency Food Strategic Planning committee warns the emergency food support system in the city is reaching its capacity.

The committee made up of 16 local organizations that run 23 Hunger-Relief programs throughout the Greater Hamilton area say that visits to food banks have increased 40 per cent compared to the same time last year.

They say that rising inflation rates, and food and housing costs have led to an increased demand in the services provided by their programs.

The explosive growth in demand has led the group to call on city council support as they say current systems are being pushed beyond their capacity.

Food insecurity is an issue that the committee describes as a direct link to the growing issue of homelessness within Hamilton.

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In a 2022 release, Issue Report found that nearly half of those using food banks reported that they would lose housing if they had to purchase the food they obtained through emergency food programming.

In Hamilton alone, the committee says that over 2,500 households accessing their services were paying more than half of their total income on rent and utilities alone leaving them at risk for homelessness should services stop.

Interim Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Food Share Karen Randell says, “It is time to prioritize investing in a system that not only addresses immediate food insecurity but supports individuals in staying in their homes”.

The committee has reached out to city councillors and have begun initial meetings to address their concerns and they hope to work together to develop a plan to incorporate food banks into the city’s evolving homelessness strategy.

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