Nearly 9 in 10 non-profits across Second Harvest’s network have seen demand for food rise over the past year.
These numbers tell a story of a charity system stretched beyond its limits. They speak to exhaustion, both for our communities — families, elders and individuals who depend on food programs — and the organizations trying to keep up.
While many non-profits are already operating beyond capacity, nearly 1 in 3 has had to turn people away, and 1 in 5 say they may have to close or reduce programs.
What else we’ve learned:
This data is just the tip of the iceberg. Every organization faces unique pressures and needs. Non-profits across Canada serve diverse communities and encounter distinct challenges. From urban centres to remote rural regions, one thing is clear: organizations on the front lines of supporting people are under strain and need help.
In many cases, these non-profits are holding each other up to stay afloat.
Across Canada, 51% of the non-profits we surveyed said they also provide support to one or more other non-profits in their community.
And 36% told us that without food from Second Harvest, they would have to cut programs.
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