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+ IB OPINION WITH RISING FOOD PRICES, PEOPLE NEED HELP NOW rsday, March 2 THE TIME IS NOW TO © MAKE MEANINGFUL § CHANGES TO TACKLE § FOOD INSECURITY, j WRITES KIM WILHELM WITH THE FOOD BANK OF WATERLOO REGION Food insecurity is on the rise in Waterloo Region and across Canada as many people continue to grapple with inflation and rising food costs. We saw a record number of people accessing emergency food in 2022, and we expect 2023 to be even busier. We, as a community, need to act now if we want to see meaningful change in the coming year. There isn't time to hope for food prices to drop. Record in- waterloochronicle.ca dh KIM WILHELM Colui flation levels in 2022 drove prices up, and it's unlikely they will drop to levels we saw in years prior. People need help now, and com- munity members and gov- ernment officials at all lev- els need to step up to the plate to make this happen. ed Ontario released policy recommendations as part of their annual Hunger Report last fall, calling on the provincial sure all Ontarians can af- ford to keep food on the ta- head. Their recommenda- tions included improving ie province's 's social assis- bose programs, investing fordable ousing, building a stronger work- ~~ and paren People lived thet table to talkal about what they need to survive and thrive in Ontario. Some changes have come into effect, including raising the minimum wage to $15.50 an hour in Octo- ber. However, this still falls ties. Housing, gas and food prices all contribute to high costs for individuals and families. A minimum wage simply isn't enough for most people to make ends meet. The provincial and fed- eral governments are cur- rently preparing for their 2023 budgets, and we at The gion hope to see food inse- curity top-of-mind in these budget considerations. The rising cost of living king social security ants need to be ad- ssed. Community members living in Waterloo Region and beyond can also step up to help others in need. Food and financial dona- tions are always welcome and greatly appreciated. These donations keep our shelves stocked and ensure re's safe, healthy and nutritious food for anyone who needs it. We've seen incredible support from our community over the years and continued support will be essential i in the coming months, as the need for emergency food assistance shows no sign of slowing down. We want to remind all Waterloo Region residents Food insecurity is on the rise in Waterloo Region and across Metro Creative photo Canada as many people continue to grapple with inflation and rising food costs, writes Kim Wilhelm. reaching out for help. We have food available to any- one who visits one of our Co Food Assis- tance Network community programs or agency part- ners, and we'll continue our work as long as food in- security is still a reality in our community. Kim Wilhelm is the interim CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. At IG Wealth Management, we believe in retirement planning that goes beyond RRSPs. With an IG Living Plan™ your retirement goals are synchronized with your Let’s review your retirement goals today. ble and a roof over their Food Bank of Waterloo Re- that there's no shame in RATES lyr syr Syr whole financial picture. 5.26 5.07 5.00 4.93 4.30 4.25 4.95 4.45 4.46 Rates subject to change. Are you giving your banker a free loan.... Your emergency $ can work too! 1 year Cashable GIC after 90 days - 4.15% 729 Belmont Ave. W. Optimize Wealth Management Kitchener, ON 1-800-361-6631 519-744-3020 roy eh di naly-4-meor-TAC-iielalareyele] Leigh.Hogg@optimize.ca 519.650.7250 Shari.Foster@ig.ca WEALTH MANAGEMENT SHARI FOSTER, CFP®, RRC, CHS, CDFA, CPCA Senior Financial Consultant Investors Group Financial Services Inc. cc td Reapers | READERS! Trademarks, are owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. © Investors Group Inc.