Demand On Food Banks High

Local food banks continue the arduous task of collecting to meet the needs of the holiday season.
The Ontario Association of Food Banks finds 375,000 people now rely on food banks every month, with over 16,000 first time users identified this year.
Executive Director Bill Laidlaw says it’s a trend that has been on the rise in the past decade.
Laidlaw says those on social assistance, seniors, single parent families and students are among the greatest users.
He adds food bank use this year has been greatest in rural areas and communities hit hard by plant closures.