Northwest London food bank expands to address growing hunger in the community
The food bank will be running six days a week from a new location to help those in need
Northwest London Resource Centre is expanding its food bank operations in a new building to meet the city's growing need for food and supports.
The food bank now operates from inside Sherwood Forest Mall on Wonderland Road — but in January, it will move nearby to a larger stand-alone building shared with a daycare — just south of the mall beside Food Basics.
"We have changed locations due to the growth of the needs of the families," said Amani Radhaa, associate director of Northwest London Resource Centre.
A new report by Feed Ontario, a collective of hunger relief organizations, says hunger is growing in the province with more than 800,000 people turning to emergency food supports between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
Just last week, the resource centre ramped up its food bank services from two days a week to six in order to meet growing demands.
The "mobile" food bank launched in October 2021 in partnership with London Food Bank to give eggs, meat and groceries to those living in "priority neighbourhoods" in northwest London, said Radhaa.
"In the aftermath of COVID, everybody is having struggles," said Radha, giving an example of a struggling neighbour. "Yes, they have a mortgage, but they have a variable mortgage and increases are taking place, plus their car payments, plus their insurance. Everybody is struggling"
The Northwest London Resource Centre is one of five resource centres in the city and the only one in northwest London. The northwest branch is strategically located to address needs for low-income families in the area. Otherwise they may have to travel to different parts of London to get the help they need.
"Giving back to the community is very rewarding," said Radhaa. "Supporting your community and the ripple effect that goes into the community is essential."
Help us fight hunger by considering a donation to the London Food Bank. Until the end of Dec., CBC London is raising money for Londoners in need through our Sounds of the Season campaign. For more details, click on the link.
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