40 Percent Surge: Why Thousands More in Guelph Are Turning to the Food Bank

Guelph’s escalating cost of living and repeated tax increases are pushing more households past the breaking point, leaving thousands unable to afford basic groceries. Behind the rising numbers is a warning from local and provincial advocates who say the system supporting vulnerable residents is no longer keeping pace with reality.

Guelph residents continue to face rising financial strain as repeated municipal tax increases and a high cost of living tighten household budgets across the city. These pressures are contributing to difficult choices for many families, particularly when fixed expenses such as rent, utilities, and taxes consume a growing share of monthly income. In this environment, more residents are turning to the Guelph Food Bank than ever before.

The organization reports a 40 per cent surge in visits since the start of 2025, now serving more than 5,000 unique people each month. Managing director Carolyn McLeod-McCarthy says the community has effectively been in a food emergency for some time. Five years ago, the food bank might see three new clients per month; today, staff see up to three new people every day. Children account for 37 per cent of all visitors. McLeod-McCarthy describes the current operating model as “unsustainable,” despite ongoing efforts to expand satellite services.

This local situation reflects a wider provincial trend. Feed Ontario’s latest annual report shows more than one million people accessed food banks between April 2024 and March 2025, with 8.7 million total visits — a 13 per cent year-over-year increase and a 165 per cent rise since 2019-20. Two-thirds of Ontario food banks fear they may not be able to sustain operations over the next six months due to rising demand and limited resources.

In Guelph, affordability challenges are particularly hard on residents relying on Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program, who make up more than 60 per cent of all food bank users. Advocates at Queen’s Park are pushing for higher support rates, noting that people are often forced to choose between paying rent and buying groceries.

The Guelph Food Bank currently operates 11 satellite locations across the city, with three additional sites expected to open this month or in January and four more proposed. McLeod-McCarthy emphasizes that the food bank can provide only about one week’s worth of groceries per household and relies on local partners to fill gaps.

Feed Ontario’s report underscores that food banks, municipalities, and community groups have repeatedly raised alarms but lack the fiscal authority to address the systemic drivers of food insecurity. The report states that “record-high food bank use is not a crisis for food banks. It is a crisis for Ontario.”

In Guelph, where household budgets continue to be stretched by persistent tax increases and rising living costs, the strain is evident. The sharp growth in food bank demand highlights the need for broader provincial action to stabilize incomes and support residents who are increasingly at risk of falling behind.