Ottawa Food Bank anticipating another uptick in users going into 2021

As Ottawa heads into the new year, the Ottawa Food Bank says it is anticipating more new users as more layoffs in the community happen going into 2021.

“When we first saw the lockdown, there were 15 per cent new users needing food banks,” Rachael Wilson, interim CEO of the Ottawa Food Bank, explained. “Then once the government supports came in it really levelled off and numbers went back to normal. Christmas time, things really started to ramp up. Our phone calls hit the same levels they did back in April, at the beginning of the pandemic — so we saw more people needing food banks.”

It’s been 36 years since Ottawa’s Food Bank has been in the city, but Wilson explains that many are often surprised to know that Ottawa has one of the communities with the largest per capita food banking in Ontario.

And 36 per cent of food bank users are children.

For those wanting to use Ottawa’s food bank service, Wilson says the process is quite easy.

The first thing to do is call the Ottawa Food Bank, and they will ask you for your address so they can look up and direct you to the nearest food bank in your area.

Next, you’ll contact that location, where you’ll set up an appointment — the appointment model being a product of the pandemic.

Then users will be asked about their household: how many people are in it, their ages, etc. This is to give volunteers and idea of what types of food to give you — because the type of food given to a family with a toddler is going to be different than what will be given to a family without children.

Wilson assures that there’s no means test. The bank will not ask you for proof of income or employment. They may, however, ask you voluntary questions — these questions are to help the food bank get an understanding of the needs within the community.

Then you’ll receive a seven-day food supply for every person in your household. This include all kinds of food, including fresh foods.

As for donors, the food bank is always look for more donations and help. To learn more, visit the Ottawa Food Bank’s website.