Food insecurity remains a serious concern in Perth, Smiths Falls and the surrounding region, according to the executive director of The Table Community Food Centre.
Rob Rainer says demand for emergency food support through The Table’s food bank is holding steady, while staff connected to the Smiths Falls program are also seeing strong demand for community meals.
Rainer says food insecurity remains significant across Lanark County, Ontario and Canada. He says national data suggests about one in four households in Canada experience some level of food insecurity during the year.
Rainer says it is sobering to see people struggle with food access in a country and community that may appear wealthy from the outside.
He says organizations like The Table can help through food banks, meals and support programs, but the issue cannot be solved by charities alone.
Rainer says long-term solutions will require action from senior levels of government, while local groups continue doing what they can to support residents facing hunger.
