Food Security during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Toronto’s food crisis is imminent

11.7x more people per day in Toronto were contacting 211 for food security issues in early April versus February, as more than 6.7 million people have applied for emergency benefits nationally.

Daily contact volumes for 211 are twice as high, while food security issues increased from 7% of callers' issues to 38%. Emergency food providers around the city are reporting huge increases in demand for food, including hampers, prepared food, and food delivery for those in isolation.

For more context on Toronto's growing hunger issues amid the crisis, check out this brief for Toronto Foundation available here: https://torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/TF-Better-Toronto-Coalition-Brief2-v01.pdf

The brief presents a few great options for anyone looking to donate to hunger issues in the city. You can find additional a curated list of opportunities to directly support nonprofits working on food security and other critical issues available here.

NOW Toronto had great coverage of the piece available here.