Food banks and soup kitchens in Owen Sound struggle to meet growing demand [Video]

Today, volunteers at Owen Sound’s soup kitchen are marking an unpleasant statistic. They will have served as meals for the needy to this point in 2024, as they did in the whole of 2023.

“We moved into this space in December of 2019, and in that year, we served 20,000 meals… this past September – September 2024, we served 20,000 meals in a month. And so in five years, that, increase is just incredible,” said OSHARE (Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort) Executive Director, Colleen Trask Seaman.

It’s a similar story at the Salvation Army Food Bank in Owen Sound – where they are now providing groceries to 1,300 clients each month, up 20 per cent from last year alone.

An OSHARE volunteer prepares another meal for people in need at the Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort, October 9, 2024 (Scott Miller/CTV News London)

“We’re dipping into reserves now. …