Record-high costs for food, rent, and gas are putting extreme pressure on families. As demand peaks, food banks are being stretched to their absolute limit.

Currently, 1 in 4 Canadians live in food-insecure households, with record numbers of seniors, students, and workers seeking help. In fact, nearly 20% of food bank clients are now employed. Since 2019, usage has doubled, reaching a historic 2.2 million monthly visits in 2025. This crisis highlights an urgent, growing need for support in communities across the country.

Markham Elite Lions Club supports few food banks like Share and Care by providing them with the everyday necessary food items including personal hygiene items.

We need adequate housing for our sense of dignity, safety, and inclusion, yet the housing crisis has deepened significantly in recent years. According to reports from the Federal Housing Advocate and the 2024 Everyone Counts survey, it is now estimated that between 150,000 and 300,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year. On any given night, approximately 60,000 to 67,000 individuals are without a home—nearly double the estimates from a decade ago. The availability of affordable and safe housing remains vital to our well-being, yet many Canadians are being displaced by a severe lack of stable options. 

MELC took the initiative to help the Shelter Homes in the Greater Toronto Area. Currently we are associated with three Shelters Homes. We provide them cooked meals, clothing, beddings. During Winter time, we do provide them with winter clothing & accessories as well as personal hygiene items.