In St. Catharines and Thorold, we pride ourselves on being caring, connected communities—places where neighbours look out for one another and where no one should have to struggle alone. Yet every day, at Community Care and across our local support network, we see signs that too many people are fighting battles they shouldn’t have to fight.
The time is now to help tell more of this story in our community, to help spark the understanding, compassion, and change that people desperately need.
The challenges around us are growing, and they are not abstract. They are visible—in the faces of people lining up for food, in the tents tucked into green spaces, in families quietly trying to stretch one paycheck across too many bills.
We’re facing a perfect storm: A lack of affordable housing. Mental health struggles. Substance use. Skyrocketing food prices.
Each one is difficult on its own. Together, they’re creating a crisis.
The Reality of Hunger in Our Community
Here at home, local numbers paint a sobering picture:
- Community Care’s food bank usage has risen by more than 40% in the past two years
- Over 6,000 individuals in St. Catharines and Thorold rely on food support annually, including seniors, working families, and children
- Nearly 1 in 7 households in Niagara struggles with food insecurity, a rate that continues to climb
- And most concerning: children now make up close to 30% of local food bank users
- These aren’t statistics from a national report—they are the lived reality of our neighbours
Housing: A human right
Affordable housing is on the agenda of every level of government, and rightfully so – but new housing takes years to plan and build. In the meantime, people need to safe shelter today.
Social assistance rates in Ontario have not been meaningfully adjusted in more than six years—and with inflation, rent increases, and rising food prices, the assistance rates are nowhere near enough. For many, it has become impossible not only to secure housing but even to imagine escaping the cycle of poverty.
Food Prices: An Everyday Burden
We all feel the squeeze at the grocery store, but for low-income families, rising food costs mean real hunger. As colder months arrive, produce becomes even more expensive, putting nutritious food out of reach for many.
We need community action, because hunger doesn’t wait for policy change.
Understanding those we serve with no fixed address
One of the most important steps toward solutions is understanding – there is no single “type” of person experiencing hardship. What we often call “homelessness” is actually a collection of different realities:
Street culture:
Some individuals have shelter but spend time in public spaces for social connection. It helps combat loneliness—something many of us underestimate. Community is a human need.
People who are unhoused:
Others truly have no roof over their heads. Some live in encampments, some choose not to access shelters because they feel safer with friends or cannot meet shelter requirements. Others simply cannot save enough for first and last months’ rent.
Once the cycle begins, it is incredibly hard to break without support.
Every person’s path is different. Every person’s story matters, and it is crucial to withhold judgment.
If there is one truth I hope our community embraces, it is this:
We cannot afford to judge. You never know what someone is going through.
Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold, reflect on memory.
“I remember a woman who once walked into our office. She was well-dressed—someone you might never imagine needing help—but she was in tears. She had lost her job. Bills were piling up. She had three kids to feed. We helped her through that moment. A year later, she returned with a sealed envelope. Inside was $1,000 in crisp bills—the first money she received from selling her home. She wanted to give it back so that someone else could feel the same dignity and hope she found in her darkest moment.”
That is the power of compassion. That is the power of understanding someone’s story.
What you can do, right now
Food insecurity is urgent—but it is solvable when communities stand together.
If you want to make a real and immediate impact, here’s how:
Donate Today
Every dollar truly counts.
- Just $10 helps provide fresh, nutritious food for a local family.
- $50 supports a week’s worth of groceries for a senior living alone.
- $100 helps us purchase essential items we can’t get through donations, especially during the winter months.
Your generosity keeps our shelves stocked, our doors open, and dignity within reach for thousands of people.
Share This Message
Advocacy matters. When more people understand the realities of hunger, more people step up.
Learn and Engage
Ask questions. Listen. Get involved. Compassion grows through education.
Hope grows when we stand together.
With your support, we can ensure that every neighbour in St. Catharines and Thorold has access to good food, dignity, and the chance to move forward.
