Latest news with #KarenShuh
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Food bank faces record demand and donation decline as summer pressures mount
FILE - In this 2018 photo, kids eat lunch at an elementary school. (Ellen O'Nan/The Paducah Sun via AP) As the summer season begins, the Barrie Food Bank reports record-breaking demand for assistance at a time when donations are typically at their lowest. In May, donations to the food bank were down $13,000 compared to the same time last year, while client visits continue to rise. 'May brought 7,460 visits, a record high for us,' said Karen Shuh, executive director with the Barrie Food Bank. Shuh said the surge in demand includes a growing number of children and seniors. Last month, the food bank served nearly 2,600 children under 18 and more than 330 seniors - both new records. "We're seeing more and more people accessing our services due to job loss, reduced hours, rising rent, mortgage renewals and the general cost of living," the executive director added. Shuh highlighted that food insecurity can happen to anyone. 'Many are first-time visitors who never imagined needing a food bank, which is becoming a growing theme." With school now out, the food bank expects need to continue rising as many families will face additional expenses like daycare and summer camp. Recognizing the growing need to support children during the summer break, Food Banks Canada stepped in with support through its 'After the Bell' program - so for the first time, Shuh said Barrie would receive funding to provide nutritious, child-friendly food packs to local children in need. And Shuh said it couldn't have come at a better time. 'The summer months are historically lean for donations.'
CTV News
30-04-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Food bank campaigns aim to support growing demand
Foodbanks across the region are anticipating a big decline in donations as the summer season approaches. With no reduction of those in need - it's a tricky time of the year, especially for clients of the food bank who call it a lifeline at times. 'It helps families in need because of how expensive everything - inflation is crazy,' said Barrie resident Wendy Butler-Henderson. 'I find the food bank really helps people that need it.' Staff and volunteers at the Barrie Food Bank are hard at work wrapping up the Spring Forward Give Back campaign that launched last month and aimed to collect 100,000 pounds of food items and raise $250,000. Bell Media's Feeding Families Food Drive helped collect 21,000 pounds of non-perishable food for the campaign that ended today. Karen Shuh is the executive director of the food bank and said they see an annual increase of 12 per cent year-over-year. 'Just over 7,000 individuals - we are up over 10 per cent in March over February and we saw a lot of extra clients coming though because of the ice storm... having lost everything in their fridges and freezers,' Shuh explained. The situation is very similar at The Sharing Place in Orillia, which hands out seven days worth of food every month to more than 2,500 people. While financial donations are preferred, the food bank is quick to remind people even the smallest of donation can make a difference. 'Donating $25 or $5, every penny counts, but if I add up all the donations that are under $200 it's the biggest donor that we have,' said the Orillia food bank's executive director Chris Peacock. 'So all those donations matter. Some people feel like they are not making a difference by giving us $5 or $10 a month - that's a huge deal and we are greatly appreciative.' School Fuel Month is coming to an end at The Sharing Place. Every dollar donated, up to $20,000, will be matched by the local Home Hardware. Donations will be accepted until midnight.
