September is Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness and inspire action.

Across Peel Region, the need is growing. According to recent data from Metamorphosis, over one in 10 households in the region is experiencing food insecurity. This represents thousands of families, children and seniors who are unsure where their next meal will come from. And it’s not just about food — it’s about dignity, health and hope.

In 2024, 3,709 people in Dufferin-Caledon turned to a food bank over 34,000 times. That’s more than nine visits per person on average, an urgent signal of persistent need.

What’s especially heartbreaking is the number of children affected. In Dufferin-Caledon, 35 per cent of food bank visitors were children — above the Ontario average of 29 per cent — even though children make up just 19 per cent of Ontario’s general population.