PORT COLBORNE, ON - Food insecurity in Canada has reached an alarming new
high, with over 2 million food bank visits recorded in March 2024 alone, the highest
monthly number in Canadian history. Across the country, food banks are stretched thin,
struggling to meet a need that has doubled since 2019. Here in South Niagara, the
pressure is no different. Port Cares is calling on the community to step up and make a
difference by taking part in the Canal Days 50/50 draw, now live and already over
$7,000 and growing.
"This isn't just about a chance to win", says Christine Clark Lafleur, CEO of Port Cares.
"This is about putting food on the table for children, seniors, and working families in our
community who are facing the hardest times of their lives. Every ticket helps us feed
someone who might otherwise go without."
Recent national data shows that one in four Canadians now faces food insecurity, and
one in three food bank clients is a child. Rising housing costs, job losses, inflation, and
the affordability crisis are pushing more working families and newcomers into situations
where food becomes a luxury. For many, turning to a food bank is no longer a last
resort, it’s their only option.
"We’re seeing more and more people who have never needed help before," adds Clark
Lafleur. "People working full-time, seniors on fixed incomes, newcomers trying to build a
better life, and they’re walking through our doors hungry."
Funds raised through the Canal Days 50/50 draw will go directly toward supporting Port
Cares’ Reach Out Centre food bank, which serves thousands of individuals across
South Niagara every year. Just last year, more than 30% of those served were children.
Tickets for the 50/50 draw are available now at www.portcares5050.ca or in person at
Port Cares, 92 Charlotte Street, Port Colborne. Early Bird prizes include a Hisense 43”
4K Smart TV (July 18) and a $500 grocery and gas gift card (August 1), adding even
more incentive to get in early and help.
The stakes are high, and so is the need. As food banks across Canada hit a breaking
point, community-driven efforts like this one are more critical than ever. Every dollar
raised helps a local child go to school with a full stomach, a senior keeps healthy food in
their pantry, and a family stay afloat in the face of rising costs.
"When you buy a ticket, you’re not just entering to win", says Lafleur. "You’re standing
up for someone in your community. You’re saying: I care, and I want to help".
To learn more about the crisis of food insecurity in Canada, visit Food Banks Canada.
To purchase your tickets, go to portcares5050.ca today.