The number of hungry and food insecure people needing help in St. Catharines is expected to continue to rise, say organizers with the Out of the Cold meal program, as it begins its rotating schedule this month.

The community-funded program, which started Nov. 1 and runs until March 31, is expecting to experience about a 10 per cent increase in demand this year, as more people struggle to pay rent, buy groceries and weather the economic storm, eating away at their bottom line.

More than 15 churches and community groups, including the St. Catharines Downtown Business Association, are involved in delivering the seven nightly meals, served out of seven churches across St. Catharines.

In Niagara, about one in five children and youth live in food-insecure homes. This number is expected to inc

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