Edmonton’s Food Bank seeing increase in visitors [Video]

The number of Edmontonians using the food bank to put meals on the table has rapidly increased in the last 10 years.

Edmonton’s Food Bank says the number of people it serves has gone up 300 per cent.

“It’s been a real challenge for us keeping it with the number of requests we were getting, as well as keeping them and maintaining food supplies to do the work we’re doing,” said Marjorie Benz, the food bank’s executive director.

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The latest data revealed on Monday comes from HungerCount 2024 – overall, it found in March 2024, there were over two-million visits to food banks in Canada, the highest number in history.

The study says rapid inflation, housing costs and insufficient social support are driving new levels of poverty and food insecurity.

Benz says at various points throughout the year, the food …