By Grant Lewis – Every year Food Banks Canada asks for a report from all Food Banks receiving government assistance…..this is called the Hunger Count, and the results are truly alarming. Ontario alone had just over 1 million clients. 33% are children; 42% are single; and 8 % are seniors. Over 508 food banks in the province responded, Espanola being one. Data shows that Canada wide one half of all Food Banks will be unable to meet the needs of the community next year, with two out of three unable to continue to provide the same services.
Pretty grim information!!! We have all heard or read about Food Banks that are in very serious financial straits due to increases of rent, utilities and food. Many will be forced to close.
The Espanola Helping Hand Food Bank, however continues to provide great service and in fact we are trying to improve the quality and quantity of our food. We offer fresh vegetables and fruit every visit (carrots, apples oranges, potatoes, onions.) All the following are available every visit also: frozen ground beef, frozen Kentucky Fried Chicken, perogies, margarine, orange juice, apple juice, block cheese, cheese slices, frozen meet pies, bread, and eggs. Clients can also select the rest of what they want from a shopping list.
There are monthly specials…our favourite is the breakfast special: bacon, pancake mix and maple syrup.
So back to numbers. As mentioned above, we report to Food Banks Canada as part of their Hunger Count. Our numbers have increased substantially like all other Food Banks, from April 2025 to June 2025 ,we fed 367 adults and 138 children, for a total of 289 households. For the same period this year we fed 597 adults and 198 children, and a total of 461 households. You do the math!!
Our expenses are pretty much the same as an ordinary household. We shop the sales, buy in bulk and ALWAYS shop local. Our total grocery bill from April to June this year is just over $32,000 plus another $15,000 rent.
We do not have a crystal ball to see where all this is going, but with the continued support of our community, we are still VERY POSITIVE
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