Sudbury Food Bank

By Stew Kernan

Singles and seniors are increasingly relying on Ontario’s food banks.

A report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks says singles now account for roughly 49% of food bank visits while the number of seniors needing help jumped by 35% over last year.

Executive Director of the Sudbury Food Bank Dan Xilon says the rise is seniors visits is alarming when you consider the country’s aging population.

Xilon says more than 16,400 people rely on the local food bank every month with low wages, a lack of affordable housing and gaps in social assistance as the main reasons.