Friday, May 31, 2024 3Brooklin Town Crier THINKING OF SELLING?THINKING OF SELLING? BROKER 289-251-4907 johnnyrealestate@bell.net NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT CLIENTS UNDER CONTRACT. SOME CONDITIONS APPLY. LISTING WITH Johnny Percolides HAS ITS PERKS! Johnny Percolides647-529-2151 eleni.papamichelakis@mtgarc.ca mortgagearchitects.ca/sites/elenip/ WE SPEAK REAL ESTATE! • Greek • English• French Eleni Papamichelakis Mortgage Agent Level 1 Licence M23008384 Brokerage #12728 Your source for mortgage help and information to get you a great rate today! Last year, I wrote a column for this space talking about the growing incidence of homelessness and food insecurity in Whitby. Both continue to be pressing issues that are complex to address and deeply impact the well-being of vulnerable members of our community. Many don't know that 16.4% of households in Durham are now categorized as "food insecure." That means they worry about running out of food, settle for lower quality food, or miss meals altogether. The 2023 Price of Eating Well in Durham Region report says the weekly cost of a healthy diet for a family of four in Durham jumped 11 per cent from 2022 to 2023. We also know that food bank use has been steadily rising across Durham. Inflation hitting hard Historically high levels of inflation are increasing the cost of living and putting a significant burden on individuals and families. A recent report from Feed the Need in Durham shows 96% of food bank users in Durham in 2022-23 said the reason for the visit to a food bank was the rising cost of food. That's compared to 67% of people who cited that reason the previous year. To give you an idea of the magnitude of the situation, the number of visits to food banks in Durham has spiked from 75,000 in 2020 to 270,000 in 2023. First-time users accounted for 25% of all food bank visits in 2023. In Whitby specifically, Feed the Need data shows a 46% increase in food banks visits from April, 2022, to April, 2023, with about 2,250 new food bank clients in Whitby during that period. Volunteers needed Food banks rely on volunteers and donations to operate, and a struggle getting both is making the situation even more difficult for local emergency food providers. Two years ago, when I ran for mayor, I considered the many issues Whitby would face during this term -- but did not anticipate how quickly food insecurity would worsen in our community. Last year, I brought Whitby's food bank leaders together for a round-table discussion and I'm thrilled to share that as a direct result, Feed the Need and the Town of Whitby have partnered to open a new "market model" food bank at Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby. A special "Market" "The Market" opened on May 2 and is set up like a grocery store allowing registered clients to move freely through the space, browsing the shelves and choosing the foods that best meet their families' needs. I had the opportunity to tour the space and was incredibly impressed with the concept and the variety of food available, including fresh produce. I'm very pleased that the Town of Whitby supported this initiative through a no-cost lease of former office space at Iroquois Park, as well as a $15,000 grant from the Mayor's Community Development Fund. Currently, about 20% of applications to this fund relate to food insecurity. As pressure on our food banks continues to grow, it's important to acknowledge that food insecurity is a problem rooted in income and that food banks can't address the growing crisis alone. New policies As Public Health Ontario notes, "Policies that increase household income are necessary to address food insecurity, including a higher minimum wage, increased social assistance rates, and lower income tax rates for the lowest-income households." These things won't happen overnight. As we work towards meaningful public policy changes, it's critical to ensure every Whitby resident has access to safe, healthy, and appropriate food. "The Market" is what it looks like to revolutionize food banking, making the experience more equitable and dignified for those in our community who need support. Thank you to Feed the Need for continuing to be at the forefront of Durham's response to food insecurity. Elizabeth Roy is mayor of the Town of Whitby Whitby Food Insecurity Being Addressed By Elizabeth Roy