Port Hope food bank usage expected to reach record high this year

Photo courtesy of Northumberland Foodbanks. Facebook.

By: Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM News, Local Journalism Initiative.

Northumberland County Foodbanks is searching for a new location and better vehicle to increase services in Port Hope.

Currently the Fare Share operates out of the United Church on South Street, but having limited hours, restricts how it serves clients. Meghan Flindall, Executive Director presented to Port Hope Council Tuesday night anticipating record usage this year.

Statistics she provided suggest more than 10,000 visits in Port Hope, an increase of 24 percent in 2025.

“Our numbers have drastically increased, actually doubling since pre-pandemic levels. An additional thing that should be noted, is that we see three-times the amount of these numbers at our Cobourg location, where we are able to operate our services with more frequency and variety of times,” Flindall said. “We don’t feel that we truly have a full representation of food insecure population in Port Hope, due to those current limitations of only being open on a Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening.”

The Cobourg location is open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Flindal stated the organization is looking for stable support from Council, possibly in the form of a monthly contribution and lease agreement for a renovated municipal space, as well as repurposed town vehicle.

Councillor Les Andrews said there are a few locations which the Food Share could move to. That being the Lakelands Public Health Unit on Rose Glen Road. Flindal noted that both Quinte and Whitby Food Banks lease municipal space for free.

Approximately 36 percent of food bank usage in Port Hope is for children and youth under the age of 18. While 36-50 year-olds use the food bank 21 percent of the time.