The pandemic might be behind us, but food insecurity continues to bite hard across our communities. That reality struck me last Thursday when I visited St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Burlington, where volunteers were collecting food donations without requiring donors to leave their vehicles.
“We’ve noticed a significant increase in families needing support since 2022,” explained Reverend Diane Beaman, who coordinated the drive-through collection event. “The rising cost of living means more parents are choosing between paying rent and buying nutritious food for their children.”
The initiative, which runs every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. throughout September, specifically targets supporting children returning to school. Organizers are requesting donations of easy-to-prepare meals, snacks, and lunch items that students can manage themselves.
Burlington’s food bank usage has jumped 32% over the past year, according to the latest Halton Hunger Report. This mirrors trends across other mid-sized Ontario cities where middle-income families increasingly find themselves making difficult budget decisions.
When I arrived, the church parking lot had been transformed into a smooth-running donation station. Volunteers wearing bright yellow vests directed traffic while others collected donations from car windows and organized items on folding tables.
“This is my third time volunteering,” said Janice Markham, a retired teacher who helped sort donations. “The community response has been heartwarming, but what’s troubling is seeing former donors becoming recipients themselves.”
What struck me was the practicality of the requested items: instant oatmeal packets, granola bars, fruit cups, tuna kits, and juice boxes. These selections weren’t random – they reflected the reality that many children are preparing their own meals while parents work multiple jobs or extended hours.
“Kids shouldn’t have to worry about being hungry at school,” said Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan, who stopped by to donate and speak with volunteers. “These community-led initiatives fill crucial gaps in our social safety net.”
Local resident Carolyn Zhang pulled up in her SUV with three grocery bags. “I’m a single mom myself,” she told me as volunteers unloaded her donations. “Some months are tight, but I know others have it worse. My daughter helped pick out items she’d want to eat.”
The church has partnered with five local schools to distribute the collected food directly to families identified by guidance counselors and teachers. This targeted approach ensures donations reach those most in need while maintaining privacy for recipients.
Kathleen Stevens, principal at Pauline Johnson Public School, emphasized the educational impact. “Hungry kids can’t focus on learning. We see the difference when students have proper nutrition – better attendance, higher engagement, and improved academic outcomes.”
Food security experts point to the compounding factors making this September particularly challenging. The Canada Child Benefit, while helpful, hasn’t kept pace with inflation. Meanwhile, grocery prices in Ontario have risen 23% since 2019, according to Statistics Canada data.
“Many families are still recovering financially from the pandemic,” noted Maria Carson from Food for Life, a regional food rescue organization. “When you combine that with housing costs and inflation, even households with steady employment are struggling.”
What distinguishes this initiative is its focus on dignity and accessibility. The drive-through model allows donors to participate without leaving their vehicles, while the emphasis on kid-friendly foods acknowledges the reality that many children prepare their own meals.
As I watched car after car pull through the church driveway, I reflected on how these grassroots responses often reveal both the strengths and weaknesses in our social framework. The generosity was evident, but so was the growing need.
The St. Matthew’s food drive will continue each Thursday in September. Those interested in contributing can drive through between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. with non-perishable, child-friendly food items. Volunteers told me cash donations are also welcome, as they allow for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement the non-perishable collections.
When I asked Reverend Beaman what motivated the church to organize this effort, her answer was simple: “Our faith calls us to care for our neighbors. Right now, caring means making sure no child starts their school day hungry.”
As I left the church parking lot, volunteers were already breaking down empty boxes – a promising sign that Burlington residents had shown up in force for their youngest community members. In times when political solutions often move slowly, these local actions remind us that immediate needs can’t wait for policy debates to conclude.
