‘Tis the season for giving to Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville food banks

By Gene Pereira, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Christmas is the season for giving, and nowhere is that generous spirit needed more during the holidays than at food banks.

The communities of Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville have stepped up in a big way when it comes to helping local families with food insecurity.

Sylvia Silva sees that generosity every day.

A volunteer at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank, she points to a recent Cram-A-Cruiser Event at a local Longo’s store.

A woman walked up to the vehicle and put $100 into their donation box.

“She just said to us, ‘I’m doing this because I depended on you guys for a year-and-a-half, and if it weren’t for you guys, I don’t know what I would have done. I’m out of the red now, and this is for you. I can’t thank you enough,’” Silva recalled her saying.

People really do care.

“We have a really amazing community,” said Silva, an administration manager at the food bank. “We are totally 100 per cent community funded by the residents and businesses of Stouffville. They have been phenomenal. From food drives to monetary donations, that’s what keeps us going.

“It’s a very generous community, and it certainly helps us stock our shelves for sure.”

Stephen Lough wants no family to go hungry during the holidays in Markham. He’s grateful that the community supports the effort to make sure no one is forgotten.

“I really appreciate the support that Markham residents, businesses and the community have given us over the last few years, and trust that they will continue that relationship to ensure that there’s less food insecurity in Markham,” said the president of the Markham Food Bank. “We’re trying to reduce or eliminate food security.

“It’s sad when someone can’t provide enough food for themselves.”

Yet, much more is needed.

More and more families need help to provide for their families. Demand at food banks has risen sharply over the last five years.

According to Food Banks Canada, there are nearly 2.2 million visits to food banks in one month. That’s doubled since 2019.

Demand at the Markham Food Bank over the last few years has skyrocketed. According to statistics provided by the local food bank, the increase in clients jumped by 22 per cent in 2022, 46 per cent in 2023, and then 33 per cent in 2024.

In 2019, 11,092 individuals with food insecurity visited the Markham Food Bank. In 2024, that number nearly tripled to 31,288 individuals.

High food prices and inflation remain an issue this year for families.

“Majorly,” said Lough. “About 15 per cent of our clients are seniors. If they’re on a fixed income and the cost of living goes up, the dollar doesn’t match what they’re getting in, so at least they can get food from us and have that support pay the rent and the hydro to live.”

Lough admits it’s sad to see the seniors in line.

“I’m a senior myself,” he said. “It’s tough for me to see someone in a wheelchair trying to get out for food and waiting for food.”

Silva can see the increase in demand by just watching the number of people who come through the doors at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank.

“We have more new clients than we’ve ever had each week,” she said.

Increased food and product prices also mean increased costs for stocking the shelves at food banks.

“We utilize the monetary donations that we receive for things like our milk, our eggs, our cheese, margarine, yogurt, and our protein,” said Silva. “Now we’re finding we’re buying a lot more, because everybody seems to be more strapped.

“We’re dipping into our funds that are normally reserved for the summer when it’s really, really slow to having to fill up our shelves even more with things that we don’t normally buy and get donated.”

The number of clients at the Markham Food Bank over the last five years combined has risen (substantially) because of COVID, said Lough.

In the month of December last year, the local food bank serviced 2,580 Markham individuals with food insecurity, which equates to 806 families.

“Those numbers are always going up,” he said, though he added they may balance out a bit this year with less immigration and no major crisis similar to the ones in Ukraine and Gaza.

Remaining on top of everything is key.

“When the cost of living, cost of food and everything is up, you have to manage that appropriately,” said Lough. “We still get about 15-days-worth of food, which is fortunate given our great donations and our support from Markham.”

While donations of food and household items are very important, Lough says that financial donations are the best way one can support the local food bank.

“We actually request money rather than food donations because we have to buy what we need at the price we buy it at, and you get a tax receipt,” he said.

“So, definitely the dollar is much easier to handle. There’s not as much volume without the workload, etc.”

Rising mortgage costs have also been a major factor in more people needing food banks.

“Yes, there are still families with two incomes that need support from us to provide their food,” said Lough. “Food is a necessity for everyone.”

Silva also sees families where both parents are working and still require a helping hand.

“They’ve taken their kids out of their sports because they can’t afford them anymore,” she said. “They’re trying to keep their house. If you read anything, this last quarter and 2026 are going to be when all the mortgages are coming due. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.

“People’s mortgages are going to go up 20 to 40 per cent, depending on when they closed their deals. Five years up during COVID.”

Silva admits she’s still shocked when she hears some people question why some families with both parents working need to rely on a food bank.

“It’s a humbling experience to have to come to a food bank,” said Silva, who has worked at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank for three years.

“You’re just giving them a leg up,” she adds. “It takes a lot to come to a food bank and give your information and ask for food.”

As for what is most needed at this time of year, the Markham Food Bank lists items such as small bags of rice, juice, individually wrapped snacks for school, cereal, peanut butter, and cooking oil.

Other items can be found at https://markhamfoodbank.ca/donate.

The most needed donations at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank include items such as canned baked beans, turkey gravy, boxed stuffing, and canned tomato sauce. Other items can be found on the food bank’s website at wsfoodbank.ca.

“The holiday season is always a giving season,” said Silva. “It’s when we get most of the food that takes us through, or just past Easter.”

While giving at this time of year is important, Lough asks that people keep them in mind throughout the year.

“We’ll have full shelves for about a month, and then it will slow right down again,” said Lough. “It picks up at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. We’re trying to get more people to see it as an all-year-round event, so that we can support our clients through the full year.

“There are not more clients at Christmas time or Thanksgiving. They need food all year-round.”