This month, we observe World Hunger Day on May 28, a day dedicated to creating a world without hunger. At The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness about food insecurity in our community and the urgent need for long-term solutions.

But first, it’s important to define food insecurity—a term we often use, though its full impact isn’t always widely understood. According to the PROOF research team at the University of Toronto, “household food insecurity refers to when a household has inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints.” In other words, it’s the ongoing struggle to consistently afford enough food to live a healthy, active life.

For those experiencing food insecurity, this struggle is felt every day. It can mean constantly worrying about whether there’s enough money for groceries, buying less food, or choosing cheaper, less nutritious options. It might also mean skipping meals or relying on food assistance programs to avoid going hungry.

The toll this takes on individuals is significant. Food insecurity doesn’t just leave people hungry—it affects overall health and well-being. According to the PROOF research team, food insecurity is linked to poor nutrition and a higher risk of diet-related diseases like diabetes. The constant stress of not knowing where your next meal will come from can also take a serious toll on mental health, contributing to anxiety and depression.

Here in Waterloo region, more than 73,600 people, including 25,000 children, live in food-insecure households. That’s a 25 per cent increase from just a year ago. Our data from 2023–2024 points to clear, systemic challenges driving this growing need for food assistance.

One major factor is the high cost of housing. In Waterloo region, 64 per cent of households accessing food assistance reported they rent their home. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Fall 2024 Rental Market Report, affordability for lower-income renters remains a challenge with newer two-bedroom rental units averaging $2,356 per month. This suggests that high rent costs are making it even harder for many people to afford groceries.

Low wages also play a significant role. Eleven per cent of households that reported an income source when accessing local food assistance programs indicated they had a job—but not enough income to buy food. This shows wages are failing to keep pace with the rising cost of living.

Another challenge is the inadequacy of social assistance. Nineteen per cent of households accessing local food support services reported receiving Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program payments, yet still didn’t have enough money left for groceries. This highlights how current social assistance rates fall short of covering even the most basic needs.

Our data shows that food insecurity is not a rare or temporary crisis—it’s become a persistent, everyday reality for thousands of people in our community. It shouldn’t be this way. Renters, working individuals, and those relying on essential government assistance should be able to afford to put food on the table. The fact that they can’t is proof of a broken system.

Thankfully, food assistance programs through our partners in the Community Food Assistance Network are there to help those in immediate need. However, we can’t solve food insecurity with food alone. To address the root causes, all levels of government must implement policies that reduce poverty and improve incomes for food-insecure households. I encourage everyone to contact their provincial and federal representatives and urge them to support policies that improve housing affordability, increase incomes, and strengthen social supports. Investing in these areas will help ensure individuals and families can afford basic necessities, reducing their reliance on food assistance programs.

In the meantime, with the support of our community, The Food Bank will continue to ensure that people facing food insecurity can access assistance through the Network. If you’d like to help feed our neighbours in need, you can drop off a non-perishable food item at any grocery store, or at a police, fire, or paramedic station in Kitchener-Waterloo. To donate money, visit thefoodbank.ca/donate. To volunteer your time, go to thefoodbank.ca/volunteer. Together, we can ensure that those experiencing food insecurity have access to the food they need, whenever they need it.

Kim Wilhelm, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region