The COVID-19 crisis has forced non-essential businesses to close, particularly targeting the retail, hospitality, and service industries. Women, new immigrants, and people of colour are overrepresented by these jobs, which usually pay minimum wage. As a result of the pandemic, many employees in these sectors have been laid off and unemployment rates are significantly higher than recent years. These employees often live paycheque to paycheque, so losing a job can have drastic consequences--especially in Regent Park, where many come from lower-income families or live in subsidized housing.

One of the major and most necessary expenses is food--Torontonians spend an average of over $280 per month on groceries (not to mention eating out at restaurants). For an employee working at the $14 minimum wage, that equals 13% of your net income. Many people may not be homeless, but they are still struggling to make ends meet. So where do you turn when you struggle to afford the most basic necessities? Community programs in Regent Park have been providing groceries and meals to those who face food insecurity.

The Salvation Army Food Bank has operated for about 20 years, but community engagement coordinator Brianne Zelinsky says they have seen an increase in the number of families using the food bank. They’ve gone from serving 25 to 50 families a week to upwards of 75 to 100 families after the outbreak of coronavirus. Because the number of staff had to be decreased to enforce social distancing, their hours have been cut to only two days a week. To make up for the limited new schedule, they are also offering grocery store gift cards to families.

The Muslim Welfare Center (MWC) has been serving free weekly lunches since 2014 as part of their Regent Meals initiative. They are still running the program, though they have transitioned to take-out only to protect volunteers and guests. Since the beginning of Regent Meals, they have distributed over 45,000 lunches to members of the community.

Second Harvest works with grocery stores and restaurants to distribute donations of food to schools, seniors’ centres, shelters, and food banks. Their items include fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs and dairy products, meat, and seafood, as well as non-perishable items like canned goods and granola bars. They have worked with Salvation Army and the CRC Regent Park Community Food Centre to provide free breakfasts and lunches, including halal and vegetarian options.
 
These organizations serve more than just food. The Salvation Army’s drop-in café is stocked with board games to encourage patrons to interact and socialize. The MWC provides clothing distribution, free tax filing help, and health information seminars. As Brianne Zelinsky of Salvation Army explains, “It’s about giving someone hope. We're a social lifeline. People come to our space because they’re lonely, because they don't have connections in the neighbourhood”. Now more than ever, people need to create and maintain a strong relationship with their community. Social distancing and self-isolation can make us feel like we are the only ones out there. Though the specific impact of the pandemic may look different for everyone, we are all in this fight together.

By Chloe Nguyen-Drury