Before a low income family is given food and other services at Project S.H.A.R.E., identification, as well as proof of residency in Niagara Falls is required. Income levels are checked to ensure the family is either on or below the poverty line determined by Statistics Canada.

A recent study of food banks in Ontario indicated that “food bank users consist almost entirely of low income households at the far end of the economic well-being continuum. While not all low income households rely upon food banks for supplemental support, evidence reveals the vast majority of food bank users and their families live in poverty by any reasonable standards.” (Michalski, 2003, 65)

The Facts

• Minimum wage in Ontario is currently $10.25 per hour. Based on 40 hours per week, annual income on minimum wage is $21,320.
• One in six children in Ontario is living in poverty.
• The average individual who relies on Ontario Works for income will be required to spend over 80% of that money on rent alone each month. This will leave only 20% each month for utilities, clothing, and food.
• Each month, on average, over 3,600 people living in Niagara Falls are recipients of emergency food coming from Project S.H.A.R.E.’s warehouse. Over 39% of the residents helped with food assistance are children under 16 years of age.
• The average amount of emergency food given out each month at Project S.H.A.R.E. is 60,000 pounds.
• Volunteers provide over 1,000 hours of time to Project S.H.A.R.E. each month.
• There are over 2,000 non-profit agencies based in the Niagara Region alone.
• Project S.H.A.R.E. is partially funded by the City of Niagara Falls, United Way of Niagara Falls, and Regional Niagara. Fundraising accounts for roughly half of Project S.H.A.R.E.’s operating budget.
• In an average year, Project S.H.A.R.E. has to raise over 700,000 pounds of food to be able to serve the residents of Niagara Falls. The ongoing demand for the agency’s services has increased every year since Project S.H.A.R.E.’s official inception in 1989.