The number of people being helped at Food Depot Alimentaire remains steady, that according to Executive Director Chantal Senecal.
She says for those with families, Child Tax Benefit increases have helped some transition out of relying on the food bank, “We’ve seen some families be able to transition out of the need for services. There is a need for community and government to work together to make changes for the people.
But ultimately, Senecal says salaries still aren’t enough, “People need more income, that is just what it comes down to. We do not have enough to get by and the first thing that goes is food. Without food, things start to fall apart very quickly.”
“We’re working with Food Banks Canada, in government advocacy and just talking about policy change and trying to get people a basic income. That all plays a role. We are really saying that we going to fulfill basic needs, but really we need to look at long term solutions,” Senecal says.