‘We’re not helping’: Food banks only a Band-Aid solution says Food Source executive director

Food insecurity impacting more than 10,000 Kawartha Lakes residents, according to health unit data

While a record-breaking number of people in Kawartha Lakes are seeking help putting food on the table through local food banks, it still doesn’t scratch the surface of the true need in the community.

More than 10,000 residents in Kawartha Lakes experienced food insecurity in 2019, or more than 14 per cent of the total population, according to data collected by the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit.

“We serve roughly 2,000 individuals every month collectively. So from 10,000 people that are food insecure, we are only reaching 2,000,” Heather Kirby of Kawartha Lakes Food Source told council during its May committee of the whole meeting, referring to the 14 food banks that service the city.