Local support services in Bruce and Grey counties are speaking out about increasing demand on food banks and affordability challenges in the region.
United Way of Bruce Grey Executive Director Francesca Dobbyn, OSHaRE Executive Director Colleen Trask-Seaman, Salvation Army Manager of Community and Family Services Alice Wannan, and Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army Owen Sound Major Jeff Howard met at OSHaRE Wednesday afternoon to share the struggles they have been facing with trying help those most in need.
“Our community is facing a crisis,” says Dobbyn. “Hunger is an income issue, and too many individuals simply cannot make ends meet. Rising living costs have left people unable to provide basic necessities for themselves or their families.”
All three organizations explained they are seeing a drastic increase in the need for their services. Between January to September, programs reporting data to Food Bruce Grey show meal programs in the region are up 30 per cent from 2023.
OSHaRE has seen an increase in need of 29 per cent this year compared to the same time frame in 2023. Trask-Seaman says in September alone, they served 20,000 meals, the same amount they served throughout 2019.
Meanwhile, The Salvation Army Owen Sound is seeing an increase of 20 per cent in the number of people supported monthly over the past year. Additionally, the organization had over 100 families sign up for the Family Assist Program.
Wannan says, “we support over 1,300 individuals each month, of which one in three are children from Owen Sound and the surrounding area, and this number continues to grow. We know it’s essential for children to have access to healthy, balanced meals to be successful at school.”
“We need donations, we need volunteers, but we also need long-term solutions that ensure people can meet their basic needs without relying on charity,” adds Howard.
While all three organizations praised the community for coming to their aid, they hope by bringing these statistics into the light, they could start conversations and appeal to any level of government for funding, as they currently receive none.
When asked if Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers or MP Alex Ruff have been receptive or helpful in addressing their struggles, Dobbyn says they have expressed well wishes, but no solid action.
She says they are calling on all levels of government to not only support the various organizations, but also put more money in the hands of people so they don’t need to make use of the various organizations.