The Société Saint-Vincent-de-Paul in Alexandria is facing growing demand for food assistance as the rising cost of groceries continues to put pressure on household budgets across North and South Glengarry.
Food bank manager Suzanne Gareau says some families are reaching a point where parents are sacrificing their own meals to ensure their children have enough to eat.
The organization spends approximately $15,000 every month purchasing food from local businesses to keep its shelves stocked and provide assistance to residents struggling to afford basic necessities.
The increase in demand is not new. Previous reports from The Review Newspaper documented a steady rise in the number of households relying on Alexandria’s food bank, including a growing number of working individuals and families whose incomes are no longer keeping pace with living costs.
In December 2024, requests for food baskets increased by 58 per cent compared with the same month a year earlier. The number of households receiving assistance rose from 116 in December 2023 to 171 in December 2024.
By January 2025, the number of households with families had increased to 179, compared with 141 a year earlier.
More recent regional figures reinforce the pressure on food assistance programs. The Review reported in November 2025 that Alexandria’s food bank was serving an average of approximately 187 families each month, including hundreds of adults and children. The number of families accessing assistance had increased by 23 per cent over the previous year.
The Alexandria food bank relies on a combination of financial contributions, local business partnerships and proceeds from its thrift store to maintain its operations.
The Société Saint-Vincent-de-Paul operates a second-hand clothing, furniture and general merchandise store at 162 Main Street South and 18 Peel Street West. Items donated by residents are resold, with the proceeds helping finance food purchases and other assistance.
Community donations also play an important role in keeping the food bank operating. The organization has previously highlighted the support of local businesses that contribute groceries, including canned goods and frozen products.
According to the organization’s information presented to the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, the food bank provides eligible residents with approximately seven to 10 days of food, including fresh and frozen products, canned goods, snacks and milk for families with young children.