This morning, I had the honor of attending the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Ottawa Food Bank. Established in 1984 with the intention of being a temporary solution, the Ottawa Food Bank has unfortunately become a long-term necessity due to the escalating needs within our community.

According to their 2023 Hunger Report, there has been a staggering 68% increase in the demand for food support over the past five years, underscoring the persistent challenge of food insecurity in Ottawa. While reaching a 40-year milestone in such circumstances isn’t a cause for celebration, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent work that lies ahead.

The goal to end hunger in our city by 2050 remains a crucial objective. To achieve this, we must rally behind and support initiatives like the Ottawa Food Bank and advocate for broader systemic changes to address the root causes of food insecurity.

Let’s unite in our efforts and envision a future where no one in our community goes hungry. To find out more about how you can contribute or get involved, please visit the Ottawa Food Bank’s website. #OttawaFoodBank #EndHunger https://www.ottawafoodbank.ca/