Titled The Ottawa Hunger Crisis, the report underscores the systemic barriers pushing more families into poverty. Severe food insecurity has nearly doubled since 2019, leaving many to skip meals entirely just to pay for rent or utilities. With a record-breaking 556,000 visits to food programs in 2023, this isn’t just a wake-up call—it’s a declaration of emergency.
The Ottawa Hunger Report 2024 doesn’t merely detail the crisis; it calls for transformative action. While community generosity funds 98% of the Ottawa Food Bank’s work, only 2% comes from government support. This imbalance reveals a precarious system strained to its breaking point. Food is a human right, yet our city operates on a charity model that is unsustainable in the face of rising demand.
The report also highlights the growing vulnerability of newcomers, single-parent families, and employed individuals who still can’t make ends meet. This year, a shocking 37% of visitors were children—a statistic that reminds us of the generational impact of food insecurity.
What Needs to Change?
The Ottawa Food Bank calls on all levels of government to address the root causes of hunger: poverty, inadequate social supports, and the rising cost of living. The municipal government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy offers a foundation for change but needs full funding and prioritization. Advocacy must expand to ensure affordable housing, fair wages, and stronger income security measures for all Ottawa residents.
How You Can Help
Your voice matters. Dive into the Ottawa Hunger Report 2024 to understand the depth of this crisis and share it with your network. Engage your local representatives and advocate for policies that tackle poverty at its core. Together, we can ensure that no one in Ottawa goes hungry—not just today, but for years to come.
Visit Advocate – Ottawa Food Bank to learn more.
