A substantial portion of those seeking assistance are international students, many with young families, compelled to take multiple jobs to make ends meet.
A substantial portion of those seeking assistance are international students, many with young families, compelled to take multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Inside Memorial University’s campus, a concerning trend is unfolding at its food bank, as shelves lined with hampers bear witness to a rising demand for emergency food supplies.
In a CBC News report, John Harris, vice-president of the campus food bank board, said a substantial portion of those seeking assistance are international students, many with young families, compelled to take multiple jobs to make ends meet.
“We see a lot of international students, especially with young families—many people having to take two or three jobs in order to get through the day, and they come here for an emergency source of food,” Harris said.
Province-wide challenge
However, the surge in demand is not confined to international students alone. Food banks across the province are grappling with an unprecedented increase in requests for food hampers and hot meals.
In October, around 800 people sought assistance from Memorial University’s food bank, a stark contrast to the previous year when the number was just under 300.
“They’re paying for their groceries and their rent and everything just isn’t adding up. So they come here for an emergency source of food. We really do need more donations to keep sustaining this on campus,” said Harris.
Growing demand at pantries
At the College of the North Atlantic’s Prince Philip Drive campus in another part of the city, a similar scenario is unfolding.
Jeff Martin, the college’s director of Student Experience, revealed that their open pantry is facing increasing demand. Sponsored by donations, the pantries are filled weekly, but the constant depletion of food stocks poses a challenge.
“Our food pantries are sponsored by our donations,” Martin said. “We try to fill them once a week… You know, this was filled the other day and unfortunately, it’s been emptied,” he added, gesturing towards the now-empty boxes.
The college, to maintain discretion, does not track individual usage but monitors the weekly expenses for replenishing the pantry. It costs almost $2,000 for the main pantry and at least $750 for smaller campuses.
The increasing cost of living is pushing students to take on more work to meet their financial obligations, affecting their ability to focus on studies.
“It’s very hard to study on an empty stomach. It’s totally a challenge to try and complete your studies, to work, to try and make enough money to feed yourself,” he said.
While the food bank serves as a crucial resource to alleviate some of the stress, the escalating demand poses a threat to its sustainability.
Harris expressed concern about running out of food, recalling a critical situation last year when the food bank had to close due to insufficient supplies. Media attention prompted several donations, enabling them to reopen.
However, this year, the demand has nearly tripled, raising fears of another closure.
“Unfortunately, that will happen if we don’t get more support,” Harris warned, urging the community to step up and help address the pressing issue at hand.
Canada’s food bank usage
In 2023, a recent Food Banks report disclosed that food bank usage has reached its highest level since tracking began in 1989.
The annual HungerCount report, based on March surveys sent to food security organizations, revealed that almost two million people, including a significant number of employed individuals, turned to food banks in March 2023. This marks a 32 percent increase from the same month the previous year and a substantial 78 percent rise compared to March 2019.
The heightened demand was attributed to the escalating cost of living, as inflation and high living expenses made it difficult for more Canadians to afford essentials such as housing and food.
The study highlighted that the surge in demand coincided with a rapid increase in inflation, the fastest rate observed in the last 40 years. At least 17 percent of this year’s food bank clients are employed but earn an insufficient income to meet their basic needs.
Ontario food bank rejects int’l students
In Ontario, the Ste. Louise Outreach Food Bank in Brampton City is turning away international students seeking free food due to an overwhelming influx, as reported by the National Post.
Board President Catherine Rivera cited an unprecedented number of international students, prompting the need for a sign that explicitly prohibits their access.
The whiteboard outside the food bank now reads, “Do not enter food bank / No international students!! (Government regulations).”
The issue started with one to two students per day in September and has escalated to at least five to 10 students daily.
Other food banks and churches in Brampton are facing similar challenges, leading to concerns about potential resource depletion. Rivera noted that calls are coming in from other organizations in Brampton, reporting shortages due to an influx of students seeking.
Rapid surge in int’l student population
Canada’s international student population is surging, potentially surpassing Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s 2023 estimate of 900,000 students, as reported by CIC News.
Data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada projected 1.4 million international student applications by 2027. IRCC data also revealed a dynamic landscape, with over 280,000 new study permits issued in the first half of 2023—a 77 percent increase from the same period in 2022. Study permit processing has also risen by 49 percent, indicating heightened demand for Canadian education.
In 2022, a record-breaking 551,405 international students came to Canada, with 807,750 holding valid study permits by year-end. The current pace suggested that 2023 is set to break records, with an expected issuance of 600,000 study permits.
While Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec traditionally attract the majority of international students, there’s a shift towards provinces with lower costs.
Alberta and Saskatchewan saw a 139 percent and 116 percent increase, respectively, in new study permits during the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year.
