This citizen-led group is easing tensions of food insecurity among seniors in Oxford County

Jayna Leroux-Hendren was shocked to learn how much the cost of living crisis has impacted seniors on a fixed income in her southwestern Ontario community of Oxford County. 

"Wages are not going up the same rate that food and rent is going up. It's tough seeing how these people are surviving on nothing, they're doing without food and the bare necessities to get by," Leroux-Hendren told CBC News. 

The severity of food insecurity drove the Woodstock retiree to start a Facebook group where residents in Oxford County, east of London, deliver meals, food items, and other necessities to seniors over 50 years of age who are in need.

Among the many challenges pinning seniors down, the two most common are medical issues and a lack of affordable housing, according to Leroux-Hendren. She said many seniors don't realize the difference in their benefits when going from the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) to the Canada Pension Plan's Old Age Security (CPP OAS). 

"Some seniors with medical issues on ODSP get supplies like hearing aids and glasses and once they turn 65, and go to CPP OAS, they're getting basically the same income but they have to make do with rising costs," she said.

I can't tell you how many seniors told me 'I can't remember the last time I had fresh produce' and that's just sad.- Jayna Leroux-Hendren

"The housing crisis has caused a lot of them to move, so they're going from $800 a-month-rent to $1,800, so now they have no money left for food and many are giving up their pets because they can't afford to feed them."

Since starting in January, more than 1,100 seniors have joined the group, and Leroux-Hendren has received such an influx of donated items from the community, that her entire garage has been turned into a large pantry.

"We started out helping with just food but it's just grown so much. We've supplied wheelchairs, hearing aids, walkers, so many other things," she said.

Group helps seniors feel less lonely 

The group is a "God send" for Michele St Denis, 62, of Ingersoll, who survives on $1,169 per month through ODSP. With a lack of affordable housing, she's renting a room in a house with an entire family, she said. 

"I have no privacy, I'm paying $725 a month, on top of my cell phone and other bills," said St Denis. "After I'm done that, I'm so short I have a hard time figuring out how I'm going to get things for myself."

Once her bills are paid, she is left with roughly $250 and said she struggles to afford food most days. A severe heart condition forced St Denis to stop working a few years ago and without relying on the group at least twice a week, she said she doesn't know how she would get by.

"I've seen so many seniors in tears. We've had quite a few farmers donate their fresh produce to us and I can't tell you how many seniors told me 'I can't remember the last time I had fresh produce' and that's just sad," said Leroux-Hendren. 

Many members have told Leroux-Hendren they feel less lonely knowing there's a group out there that cares for their wellbeing and other seniors they can connect with. The group Leroux-Hendren's way to give back to her community and remains thankful for their support, she said. 

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.