Urgent Report: Food Bank Use Surges 45% Among Families in Manitoba

UPDATE: A shocking new report reveals that food bank usage in Manitoba is skyrocketing, with families with children making up 45% of those seeking assistance. According to Harvest Manitoba’s annual report, Harvest Voices 2025, approximately 60,000 people are accessing food banks every month, underscoring a growing crisis in the province.

The report indicates a troubling trend: the percentage of families with children under the age of 18 relying on food banks has surged from 32% to 45% over the past five years. Meaghan Erbus, Director of Network, Advocacy, and Education at Harvest Manitoba, stated, “Family sizes are getting larger, the demographic of folks accessing our services are getting younger, and they are feeding more children.”

The crisis is exacerbated by rising living costs. The report highlights that 62% of families using food banks experience hunger at least once a month. Alarmingly, those with a post-secondary education who rely on food banks have increased from 33% to 61%, indicating that food insecurity is affecting even those with higher education.

Families are struggling to make ends meet. Jaclyn Stone, a mother who has faced mounting challenges, shared her heartbreaking story. “It’s hard to just live day to day and put food on your table,” she said. After purchasing a home in 2022, rising mortgage rates forced her to sell, and she now rents while working multiple jobs. “Grocery prices are higher, bill payments are higher, rent is higher,” she lamented, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to provide for her family without food bank assistance.

Rob McCaw, a long-time volunteer at Harvest Manitoba, echoes these sentiments. After facing health issues and rising expenses, he found himself relying on food banks three years ago. “I’m just barely getting by,” he said, describing his monthly living costs of $1,600 to $1,700, which aligns closely with his income.

The report also uncovers that most families seeking food assistance earn less than $20,000 per year, highlighting a profound economic disparity. Harvest Manitoba has proposed 10 recommendations to combat food insecurity, urging all levels of government to take action.

Stone hopes her experience can shed light on this worsening issue. “When you’re at the grocery store, you have to audit your cart and decide what to put back,” she explained. “It’s embarrassing and disheartening.”

As the situation escalates, the need for immediate action is clear. Families in Manitoba are not just struggling; they are facing a critical need for support as food insecurity continues to rise. The time for change is now, and the community must rally to support those in need.

Stay tuned for updates as this urgent situation unfolds.