PG Salvation Army food bank usage has nearly doubled in three years

More people across Canada and in Prince George are relying on food banks than ever before.

According to Roy Law, the Community Ministries Director of Salvation Army Prince George, they have seen food bank usage nearly double in a three-year span.

“In 2021 our visits per month were around 2,050. Now in 2024, we are getting around 3,600,” he said. “Not quite double, but somewhat close.”

Those numbers follow a national trend closely, according to Food Banks Canada food bank usage has doubled since 2019.

They also report that 46% of Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque and 53% are worried about feeding their family.

Food Banks Canada has launched a national petition to the federal government in the face of these statistics, saying not enough is being done for the millions of people who need help with basic needs like rent, food, and transport.

Inflation and grocery price gouging are two main pieces to the puzzle, but Law said uncertainty in the workforce, layoffs, and overall mental health are also contributing factors.

“There is a need for food, but what is the root cause?” Law said. “We need to get down to deeper issues. Do we need a higher median income? Are certain demographics hit harder? Seniors in retirement and social security, it is a lot tighter than it ever has been in the past.”

“We aren’t sending anyone away, so it is a matter of us getting more food or using what we can a little more wiser,” he continued. “The community of Prince George is always behind us and continues to support us… it makes our job doable.”

Food Banks Canada has also released a poverty report card for each province – British Columbia earned a D+ letter grade.

That is barely a pass, however that grade is the 3rd highest of any province across the nation, only behind Prince Edward Island (C-) and Quebec (C+).

Canada’s other provinces earned a D- (the territories were inconclusive).

BC’s report card says nearly half of people, 46.6%, are paying more than 30% of their income on housing.

60% of Government support recipients say the rates they get are not enough to keep up with the cost of living.

The poverty rate is reported at 11.6%, and food insecurity is 21.8%.

You can see the full report card here.

Law said those that are interested in donating to the Salvation Army can do so the easiest online, but their doors are always open for donations of non-perishable food.

He also thanked the Prince George community for the continued and increased support in the last couple of years, saying “large changes have happened rapidly, we are all just trying to figure out navigating the new.”