Food bank asks for help as life doesn't return to normal for many in Waterloo region

Patios are open. People can get a haircut. Groups of up to 10 people can gather.

For many people, things are starting to feel a bit more normal. But for others, it's nowhere near what life was like pre-pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit many people hard and some of those people are now turning to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, says CEO Wendi Campbell.

"For the lives of many families in our community, there's been a lot of change and a lot of stress and unexpected job loss and tightened budgets and illness," Campbell said Friday during an interview on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo's The Morning Edition with Craig Norris.

She said the food bank has continued to see clients they served prior to the pandemic, but they've also seen new families and individuals calling and asking for help for the first time.

"It's had a big impact on our operation, on our programs, and it's going to continue to shift and change in the months to come," she said.

She says people who need help don't fit into specific trends. There are seniors who are feeling isolated, families as well as single individuals.

Summer campaign

The food bank has launched a summer drive for food and funds called Full Bellies, Happy Hearts. The goal is to raise half a million meals over the summer.

"The recovery piece of this is where it's not normal. Things are gonna continue to shift and change for us," Campbell said.

She said support from the community will help them plan for the future, including various programs like community meals.

"A lot of things are shifting and changing and the support of the community, the resources that we've had access to from volunteers to drivers ... to food and to financial donations have been a very important part of the puzzle," she said.

Listen to the whole interview with Wendi Campbell: