Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre (Empty Stocking Fund) Clarifies October 2025 Food Bank Data

The Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre (BDFRC) would like to provide accurate information about the individuals and families we serve.

Recent online and media reports have included statements and figures that do not accurately reflect our verified data or the realities of food insecurity in our community.
The following summary is based on official statistics from October 2025, as presented by Executive Director Erin Katerynych during a recent press conference.

📊 Community Impact — October 2025

In October 2025, the BDFRC supported 1,935 individuals through our food bank program, one of our busiest months on record.

This included:

• Over 700 food hampers distributed to local households
• Nearly 400 Food for Kids bags provided to schools for children to take home over the weekend

Altogether, more than 2,300 people in the Battlefords region received food support during October 2025.
These numbers show both the increasing need for assistance and the continued generosity of our community, whose support allows us to meet that need.

👥 Who We Help

Our clients represent a broad range of ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. In October 2025:

• Children: 50% of all clients
• Seniors: 15%
• Single individuals: 58%
• Single-parent households: 23%
• Two-parent families: 13%
• Post-secondary students: Doubled in the past year, now accounting for approximately 5%
• Immigrants and newcomers: Doubled in the past year, now representing about 10%
• Indigenous clients: 64%
• Clients living with disabilities: 27%

This data underscores that food insecurity affects people from every part of our community, children, seniors, working families, students, and individuals facing health or accessibility challenges.

💰 Economic and Housing Realities

Many of those we assist face significant financial strain caused by high rent, limited income, and rising food prices.

Average costs reported by clients:

• Rent for clients on SIS: $845.68
• Average remaining income after rent on SIS: $119.32
• Rent for clients on SAID: $692.49
• Average remaining income after rent on SAID: $401.51
• Rent for seniors: $671–$860 per month
• Average remaining income after rent for seniors: $950–$1,300

With rent consuming 40–70% of total household income, many people are left with little to cover food, utilities, transportation, or basic needs.
According to the Saskatchewan Health Authority, it costs about $300 per person per month to eat healthy, a cost that’s out of reach for many families.

This financial reality continues to drive food bank usage higher each year.

🔄 Changing Trends

The face of food insecurity in the Battlefords has evolved over time:

• The number of post-secondary students and immigrants accessing the food bank has doubled in the past year.
• Clients living with disabilities now make up 27% of our clientele, reflecting the increasing barriers faced by those unable to work full time due to medical or accessibility reasons.
• Seniors continue to represent a growing portion of those we serve, as fixed incomes fail to keep pace with rising costs of living.

These local shifts reflect a wider affordability crisis seen across Saskatchewan and Canada.

💛 Community Support and Funding

The Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre operates without any core or sustained government funding.

Our ability to keep serving the community depends entirely on the generosity of local residents, businesses, service clubs, and organizations.

It is because of the incredible spirit of the Battlefords community, a place known for its sharing and caring nature that we are able to continue meeting the growing demand.

Your donations, volunteer hours, and advocacy ensure that our neighbours have food on their tables and hope for tomorrow.

🌾 Our Commitment

BDFRC’s mission is simple but powerful:

To ensure that no one in the Battlefords goes hungry.

Each month, we provide:

• Food hampers for individuals and families
• Food for Kids weekend bags for school children
• Referrals and resources to connect clients with community and financial supports

We are deeply grateful for every volunteer, donor, and community partner who helps make this work possible.

🧾 Summary of October 2025 Data

• 1,935 individuals assisted in October 2025
• Over 700 hampers distributed
• Nearly 400 Food for Kids bags delivered
• 50% of clients were children
• 27% of clients were individuals living with disabilities
• Post-secondary students and immigrants doubled in the past year
• 15% of clients were seniors
• No core funding — fully supported by the generous Battlefords community

These numbers tell a story of both need and compassion of a community that continues to come together to take care of its own.