‘The need is much greater now’: Winnipeg soup kitchen sees significant increase in use

Food banks across the country are seeing an increase in use. 

New data from Food Banks Canada released this week suggests that more people than ever are having to make tough decisions when it comes to food. 

Its annual survey of food bank use in Canada recorded more than two million visits in March 2024, nearly double the monthly visits five years ago in March 2019. 

Agape Table, a soup kitchen in the West End of Winnipeg has seen this first hand.

“In 2019 before COVID, we started with 85,000 meals for the year,” said Dave Feniuk general manager, Agape Table. “Last year we were up to 147,000. So, the need is much greater now. This year, early projections were even higher than last year, we’re roughly guestimating about 160,000 this year.”

Volunteers work to prepare meals for record number of people using their services on a daily basis. (Sylvia St. Cyr/Golden West Radio)

Another eye-opening statistic was the demographic of the clients using the food bank. According to Food Banks Canada, one-third of clients were children and 18 per cent were employed, something that Agape sees regularly.

“We’re still helping the marginalized community but now we are helping the newcomers. We’re helping the Ukrainian refugees who have come over,” said Feniuk. “But now, more and more we’re seeing the working poor and the seniors struggling to make ends meet.”

Food Banks Canada is encouraging the government to introduce rent assistance and monthly payments to low-income groups to help with the growing costs.

In the meantime, to keep up with the demand, Agape Table has plans to open a new building.