Food bank utilization in Windsor-Essex surged in 2025, according to organizers, amidst rising grocery prices and housing costs impacting individuals’ food budgets. The UHC – Hub of Opportunities, which serves 15 food banks in the region, recorded a total of 254,032 visits in 2025, marking a nine percent increase from the previous year. Notable increases were also observed in affiliated food banks across the area:
– The Essex Area Food Bank received 10,978 visits in 2025, up by approximately 1,000 from 2024.
– The Community Food Pantry at the Belle River Community Support Centre saw visits rise by over 100 to exceed 1,400, as reported by Food Services Coordinator Paula Ivanitz.
– The Amherstburg Community Food and Fellowship Mission registered 17,528 visits in 2025, showing a growth of more than 650 compared to 2024.
Jill Kanwischer, a volunteer board member, emphasized that these numbers represent real individuals, including seniors on fixed incomes, working families grappling with escalating expenses, and people confronting unforeseen challenges. The consistent increase in demand reflects an ongoing and expanding level of need rather than a temporary surge.
These local trends align with findings from Feed Ontario’s annual Hunger Report, which disclosed that over one million people made 8.7 million visits to food banks between April 2024 and March 2025. Moreover, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit’s annual food affordability report highlighted the financial strain on low-income residents, leaving them with limited funds for groceries after meeting rent obligations, with some individuals having no money left for food.
Notably, Feed Ontario revealed that a significant portion of food bank users in the province are employed individuals, not solely those on social assistance. June Muir, CEO of the Hub of Opportunities and president of the Windsor-Essex Food Bank Association, noted a shift in attitudes towards food bank usage, with clients no longer feeling ashamed to seek assistance.
Despite the escalating demand, Windsor-Essex food banks have managed to remain operational, with Muir acknowledging the risk of closure faced by some provincial food banks. Community support and contributions have played a crucial role in sustaining these services, with organizations like the Goodfellows receiving special recognition for their substantial donations.
Both Belanger and Ivanitz expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support received by their respective food banks, emphasizing the vital role played by local schools, businesses, and charitable organizations in addressing the growing needs of vulnerable individuals.
