People experiencing food insecurity in Thunder Bay often face other serious challenges that make it difficult to meet their basic needs, according to a recent pilot program by the Lakehead Social Planning Council.
The one-year program, called “Removing Access Barriers to Food and Essential Services,” helped people who were isolated, living on low incomes, or dealing with health and mobility issues. With nearly $100,000 in funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the project supported more than 300 residents.
Executive director Marie Klassen said calls for emergency food often reveal deeper problems, such as trouble paying bills, difficulty leaving home, or not knowing about government benefits.
During the pilot, staff helped people apply for income supports, deal with urgent housing and utility issues, and connect with community services. In total, the team completed more than 360 assessments and linked many residents with support programs.
Kristen Tomcko, director of operations and client services, said taking time to understand each person’s situation helped staff provide better support.
About 22 per cent of households in the Thunder Bay district experienced food insecurity between 2022 and 2024, according to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
Although the pilot has ended, the council is continuing to support some participants and hopes to find more funding to keep the program going.
Tags: Thunder Bay, Lakehead Social Planning Council, food insecurity, Ontario Trillium Foundation, community support, poverty, social services, Northwestern Ontario, housing support, income assistance
