Food bank usage surges in Stratford as soaring cost of living forces families to make tough choices

Eva Hayes, executive director at the Stratford House of Blessing, is always ready to provide food for the community.

As grocery bills climb and housing costs soar, more Stratford families, including those with two working parents, are turning to the food bank for help. The Stratford House of Blessing (SHOB) is now serving 33 new clients each month, and staff say demand has nearly tripled over the last five years.

“This is how we've been operating over the last number of years, that they just keep increasing. So from the end of 2024, we calculated back five years that there was a 197 per cent increase,” said Eva Hayes, executive director at SHOB. 

“The reality is we’re an organization that, ideally, would be working ourselves out of a job. We don’t want to have to exist, but unfortunately, with the way the numbers keep rising, that doesn’t seem likely.”

Hayes believes that the number one reason that people are seeking the foodbank more than ever is due to the high cost of living.

Jennifer Morris, community and services manager at the Salvation Army Stratford, says that organization has seen a continued need for support and notes that donations have also seen a drop. 

“Meeting that demand, however, is getting harder as donations drop,” said Morris. “At this time of year, a lot of food banks tend to see a significant decline in donations. People usually think about giving during the holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. During summer, it really quiets down. People are busy or away, and we’re just not top of mind.”

Hayes said that at the House of Blessing, clients can visit the foodbank once a month to receive consistent basic items such as pasta, peanut butter, milk, eggs and two meat choices. Visitors can also choose from canned vegetables, soups and other pantry items. 

“While many of these items come in through community donations, often the organization needs to purchase additional food to meet demand. We always need the basics,” said Hayes. “Our warehouse coordinator recently placed an order to supplement the areas where donations fall short. We have funds set aside to buy what we don’t receive in donations, ensuring every family leaves with a full basket.” 

Hayes said that the volunteer base at the House of Blessing is being served by stable numbers, alongside the drop in financial donations. Hayes adds that the decline of financial donations is likely tied to broader economic struggles. “The community needs the money to support their family, and we understand that.”

To help meet with the demand, SHOB is preparing for its major fundraisers this fall, with Empty Bowls taking place on Oct. 24. Guests enjoy soups from local restaurants and take-home handcrafted bowls, with all proceeds going towards supporting food bank programming.