$3 Million Is A Start: We Need More to Feed Families
Food insecurity in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has reached alarming levels, with over 4.1 million visits to food banks reported from March 2024 to April 2025. This underscores a systemic crisis affecting more than one in ten residents.
To better understand this crisis, GTA Muslims Today contacted a senior officer at Mississauga Food Banks (FBM), the largest network of its kind in the city, which comprises over 60 agencies and food programs. The officer shared that in a single calendar year (June 2024 to May 2025), FBM experienced a 20% increase in total user visits, totalling 503,705. This marked the highest number of visits in the history of FBM.
Additionally, the officer noted a worrying trend: the frequency of visits by users per month has also increased significantly.
Current Statistics
– Record Visits: The annual Who’s Hungry Report 2025 indicates that food bank visits in Toronto have skyrocketed to 4.1 million, representing a 340% increase since 2019. This represents a 636,962-visit increase compared to the previous year.
– Worst Affected: Among food bank clients, one in four are children. Furthermore, 18% of households with children reported that their kids experienced hunger at least once a week.
– City Reaction: In December 2024, the Toronto City Council declared food insecurity an emergency, highlighting the urgent need for collective action to tackle this growing crisis.
The Who’s Hungry Report 2025 also emphasises that many food bank clients are employed but still struggle to afford food. This reality shows that employment and education no longer provide sufficient protection against food insecurity. The need for affordable housing, fair wages, and stronger income support is critical.
According to FBM, user visits regularly surge in December, surpassing any other holiday season. The organisation is rightfully concerned about its ability to meet the massive demand as Christmas approaches. They urge everyone committed to helping others to take note and do what they can to assist.
Ms Meghan Nicholls, CEO of FBM, emphasised that every dollar donated by residents will provide food for one complete meal. “For example, $100 can provide meals for 100 people. Everyone deserves to spend the holidays around a meal with their loved ones, and you can help make that a reality for our neighbours.”
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