The Town of Ajax is calling on residents to help support local families in need during a community-wide food drive held on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sobeys located at 260 Kingston Road West, where organizers aim to fill two fire trucks with non-perishable food donations.
The initiative is a partnership between the Town of Ajax, St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank, and the Salvation Army Hope. Volunteers will be on-site to collect donations, which will then be distributed to local families. Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier is encouraging the public to take part in the event, noting that the rising cost of food has led to an increase in the number of people relying on food bank services.
This community effort comes at a time when food insecurity is on the rise across the region. According to Feed the Need in Durham, food bank programs across the area saw nearly 900,000 visits between April 2024 and March 2025, a 27.9% increase compared to the previous year. National trends also highlight these pressures, with Canada’s Food Price Report 2026 forecasting that food costs could rise by up to 6% this year, potentially costing the average Canadian family of four nearly $1,000 more than in 2025.
Local support for the drive is being provided by Ajax Fire and Emergency Services, who are supplying the two fire trucks to serve as collection points. Residents are invited to stop by during the event hours to contribute non-perishable items and help the town reach its goal of supporting neighbors in need.
