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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on food security both across Canada as well as in the GTA. According to Food Banks Canada, nearly 65% of Canadians believe that hunger will become a serious problem because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The city’s difficult housing market and expensive childcare costs already make it difficult for many families to budget for nutritious groceries in order to eat a balanced diet. The cost of healthy food in Toronto has also been rising steadily for the past few years, and is set to increase as a result of changes to the food supply caused by COVID-19. Unfortunately, those most likely to be impacted by the rise in food prices are Canadians who were already struggling to make ends meet before the pandemic began.

Many people have lost their jobs or had their work hours cut. Others, like seniors or those who are medically vulnerable, are forced to stay home to reduce their risk of infection. Free food programs are adapting to the new global situation by increasing deliveries to those in isolation and spending more on personal protective and sanitation equipment. This increased cost requires them them to fundraise further in order to provide the same level of food assistance as before COVID-19. If you’re in a position to donate to the JRCC Kosher Food Bank, there is no better time to do so! As the pandemic continues, there is no doubt that many people will be in need of healthy, nutritious food. Donating is an important step to reducing food insecurity in the GTA and helping those who have been severely affected by this virus.

Since its founding in 1985, the JRCC Furniture Depot has grown exponentially, into what is now the second largest furniture bank in Canada. Originally a small community network, the Furniture Depot now has a dedicated warehouse space and employees dedicated to facilitating the donation and distribution of used furniture, providing services to a much greater area and population. Our service area now spans almost 2,400 square kilometers of the GTA, with over 4 million residents.

Over 200 social workers, who work across over 60 social service agencies throughout York Region and the City of Toronto, are able to refer clients to the Furniture Depot’s services to help them get access to quality furniture.

These agencies help those suffering from a variety of issues including domestic violence, mental health issues, addiction, chronic illness and disabilities. Through working with these diverse organizations, the JRCC Furniture Depot is able to help a wide array of clients in need.

Since 2014, the Furniture Depot has served over 14,000 clients and 4,500 households, with over 30,000 furniture items given to families in need. 99% of our clients live below the poverty line, 70% are newcomers to Canada, and 60% of families served have young children.

Every month the Furniture Depot conducts client satisfaction surveys, to ensure that we are meeting our clients’ needs. Our results show that the Depot’s work reduces our clients’ expenses, by helping them furnish their homes while saving money that would have gone towards expensive new items.

Our clients state that their new furniture makes them and their children feel good. Donating to the JRCC Furniture Depot is an excellent way to contribute your old or unwanted furniture to a great cause that will improve the lives of those who need it most.

There are many factors that determine which members of a community are most vulnerable to food insecurity. Food insecurity is most common among households with low income, single-parent families, renters, and other marginalized communities.

Food insecurity is also prevalent among Canadian children, and Ontario residents are no exception. Lack of access to food is also a serious problem among Canadian children, including in Ontario. Between April 2018 and March 2019, 169,167 children accessed Ontario food banks, making up 33% of the total number of visitors. The impact of food insecurity on children can be severe, taking a serious toll on their physical and mental health, and can lead to increased risk of developing conditions such as asthma and depression.

Owning your own home is a major factor in reducing the risk of food insecurity. Research has shown that 25% of those who rent are food-insecure, compared to 7.2% of those who own their homes. Toronto’s increasingly unaffordable housing market plays a role in food insecurity in the GTA, since many people are forced to spend a greater percentage of their income on housing, leaving less money to put towards other essential expenses, such as utilities, medicine, or food.

Rates of food insecurity have been shown to vary according to immigration status. Food insecurity is more common among recent immigrants than among those who have been in Canada for five years or more, or Canadian citizens. In Toronto, immigrants’ wages have been stagnating, even after living in Canada for many years, resulting in overrepresentation of those who were born outside of Canada at food banks.

Canada is known for being a country that is welcoming to immigrants. It is important that this welcoming attitude does not stop once immigrants enter the country, but that we continue to support them once they have arrived. Helping people through a time of food insecurity through donating to a food bank is one way that we can ensure the success of newcomers to Canada, so donate to the JRCC’s new Kosher Food Bank program today!

Furniture is one of the most expensive purchases that many people will make in their lifetimes, along with buying a home and car. The cost of basic furniture, like a kitchen table, chairs, or a mattress can often be surprisingly high. Combined with the increasingly unaffordable housing market in major cities like Toronto, establishing a new home can be an extremely expensive undertaking.

Unfortunately, the problem of home insecurity has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many workers have been laid off or had their work hours reduced, resulting in widespread unemployment or under-employment. People whose work is affected by the pandemic may have much less income to put towards essential expenses like rent, groceries, or medication, let alone purchasing quality home furniture.

Social assistance programs already do not realistically reflect the cost of living in the GTA. Many people already struggle to afford basic household expenses, and the coronavirus pandemic has only made the situation more dire.

New immigrants to Canada who arrived before the outbreak of the coronavirus may also be struggling to survive in this unprecedented situation, and not yet have developed the support system that they need to maintain safe and healthy homes. Now more than ever, these people need the support of community organizations like the JRCC Furniture Depot to try to relieve some of the burden of setting up a new household.

Domestic violence is another factor that causes people to leave their homes and try and establish new ones. Domestic violence has risen worldwide during the pandemic, as people have been forced to stay home. Loss of income, stress, and isolation are all factors that may contribute to these increased numbers, all of which have become much more common during the COVID-19 outbreak. The JRCC Furniture Depot works with several social service agencies across the GTA that support victims of domestic violence, providing free furniture to those who are leaving unsafe environments or temporary housing situations.

People who are losing their regular income during the COVID-19 crisis, newcomers to Canada, and those escaping domestic violence all face different obstacles in trying to weather this pandemic. It is vital that we take care of those who are vulnerable and support them in setting up new, safe homes. Donating furniture can go a long way in ensuring their success away from dangerous situations.