Kristina’s world changed overnight when her husband passed away unexpectedly, leaving her to care for four young children on her own — including twin daughters with autism. Unable to work due to chronic health issues, she was forced to rely on the limited income provided by the Ontario Disability Support Program. But that wasn’t enough to adequately feed her children, so she made the difficult decision to visit a food bank for the first time.
“It wasn’t easy,” she says. “I was my own biggest barrier. I have a hard time accepting help. I felt like I had failed. But I realized that’s not the case. Going to the food bank…it’s about doing what you have to for your family.”
For Kristina, food banks like Daily Bread are a lifeline — helping her provide real, nourishing meals for her family on a limited income. “I can afford to give my kids macaroni every day, but that’s not going to help them grow. When I go to the food bank, I can get fruits and vegetables — things I can’t afford on my limited income.” She adds, “It’s helped me manage my health, too. I was pre-diabetic and needed to change my diet. Thanks to the food bank, I could.”
Kristina’s story of providing for her family is far from unique. Nearly 1 in 4 food bank clients are children or youth. Now she is calling on government leaders to act.
“I’m seeing more and more people who are working but still can’t afford groceries,” says Kristina. “When people with full-time jobs are relying on food banks, that should be treated like the emergency it is. The house is on fire, and I hear a lot of promises from all sides of government, but I don’t see a lot of action.”
Her concern reflects a growing reality: According to Who’s Hungry 2024, more than half (51%) of new food bank clients live in households where someone is employed.
Still, Kristina hasn’t given up hope — for herself or for the future. She dreams of returning to school to pursue a degree in psychology, a path that would allow her to support others facing similar struggles while building long-term stability for her own family. Until then, she says, “Having food banks is so important. If you’re not helping the most vulnerable people in society, you’re not going to have a strong society.”
Kristina’s story is one of resilience — but it’s also a call to action. To build a future where everyone can afford to feed themselves and their families, we need policies that ensure adequate income supports, affordable housing, and decent work. Learn more about how you can support systemic change today.
