Essential Needs
Everyone deserves the stability and dignity that comes from having their basic needs met.
Stability and Care
When people don’t have dependable access to healthy food, essential supplies, or the supports that help them get through each day, it becomes nearly impossible to plan for the future — let alone thrive.
At United Way Elgin Middlesex, we believe that everyone deserves a fair shot at a good life. That begins with ensuring people can meet their essential needs and feel connected, supported, and included in their community.
Your support helps individuals and families across our region access the resources they need today, while building the stability and confidence that open the door to new possibilities.
The Issue
Across our region, more people are struggling to afford the basics.
Since January 2020, inflation has risen 18%, while food costs have increased 24% forcing nearly 40% of Canadians to cut back on groceries to pay other bills.
Families are spending more to buy less. Many are forced to choose between food, rent, medication, and transportation, and the number of people seeking help continues to rise.
In 2024–2025, over 100,000 people relied on a United Way–funded program for basic needs like food, hygiene supplies, clothing, winter gear, and urgent essentials.
8.8%
of racialized populations are unemployed in Ontario, compared to 6.0% of non-racialized people
1 in 6
households in London-Middlesex are facing food insecurity
31.3%
of people in the London–Middlesex region experience food insecurity, higher than the Ontario average of 25.3%
How United Way Helps
We invest in programs that provide reliable access to essential needs, ensuring individuals and families can live with dignity and stability. These programs support people facing urgent challenges—such as food insecurity, health-related needs, or limited income—with immediate, practical help.
We work with a network of community partners who provide:
- Access to healthy food and meals
- Emergency essential supplies
- Wellness supports
- Connections to other community services
Our goal is simple: no one in our region should go without the essentials needed to live a healthy life.
You Can Help
When you support United Way, you help ensure people
don’t have to choose between food and rent.
Our Community Partnerships
United Way Elgin Middlesex works with trusted partners who ensure individuals and families can access healthy food, daily essentials, and supportive community spaces.
Together, we fund 9 agencies and 9 programs, investing $676,000 annually to strengthen essential needs supports across our region.
These partnerships help ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to meeting life’s most essential needs.
Basic Needs and Support Services
Glen Cairn Community Essentials
LFC Momentum!
Neighbourhood Support Services (Basic & Essential Needs)
Meal Subsidies for Low-Income Londoners
NWLRC Neighbourhood Essential Services
Neighbourhood Essential Services
Minomode-Zewin Nundge-Gehwin (Healthy Way of Eating)
Gift a Ride Program
To see more on all funded programs follow the link below.
Our Impact
In 2024-2025, United Way–funded programs provided:
204,107
meals in London, plus 18,720 meals in Elgin County
9,587
Good Food Boxes to local households
137,768
people received access to healthy food
Advocacy in Action
United Way Elgin Middlesex works beyond programs to drive lasting change. Through non-partisan advocacy and strong relationships with governments and community organizations, we help shape policies and systems that improve access, strengthen safety, and advance equity across our region.
United Way Elgin Middlesex–led advocacy campaign calling on the Province of Ontario to double social assistance rates so people can afford basic needs and live with dignity. The campaign brings together community partners and residents to advance solutions that reduce poverty and strengthen our communities.