The number of Canadians turning to food banks for help is still at record highs, according to Food Banks Canada’s annual national study released today.
HungerCount 2013 reports that in a typical month, food banks in Canada provide food to more than three quarters of a million separate individuals - 833,000 people – and nearly 4 in 10 of those helped are children. This is a decrease of 4% from 2012 but remains 20% higher than pre-recessionary levels.
About HungerCount
HungerCount was initiated in 1989, and is the only annual national research study of food banks and other food programs in Canada. Since 1997, data for the study have been collected every March. The information provided by the survey is invaluable, forming the basis of many Food Banks Canada activities throughout the year.
For a full copy of the HungerCount 2013 report, visit www.foodbankscanada.ca.
In British Columbia, 94,002 individuals visited one of 92 local food banks, a 1% drop year over year but up 20.4% from 2008. Twenty-nine percent of food bank users in BC are children.
“Nearly half of Canada’s food banks report higher numbers in 2013,” says Lenetta Parry, Executive Director at the Kelowna Food Bank. “The data shows that people are struggling despite a stronger economy."
Parry says although people come to the food bank for many reasons, the loss of a job, family breakup, sudden health problems, the key factor at the root of the need is low-income. The cost of living is rising and the people needing help are:
- Working low paying jobs;
- Receiving meagre social assistance;
- Managing on inadequate pensions.
The Kelowna Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in British Columbia:
- with 2,419 separate individuals served in March 2013, an increase of 1% from March 2012;
- 1195 households were served, 50 new files;
- 38% of clients were children.
Primary Sources of client income:
- 15% of households report some type of employment income;
- 45% of households report CPP/GIS/OAS or provincial disability;
- 31% of households report social assistance;
- 9% of household report other income including student loans.
Food banks were established in response to the severe recession of the early 1980s.
“Thirty years later we continue to meet the short-term need for food while working towards long-term solutions to hunger,” says Parry. “We have improved the overall nutritional quality of our hampers and created programs for children and those with special needs. We have added educational and employment programming to help people to help themselves.”
With Christmas fast approaching, Parry says the Food Bank staff and volunteers are bracing for a surge in clients. “As we head into a cold and often difficult time of the year, typically we see numbers increase.”
The Kelowna Food Bank, located at 1265 Ellis Street and is open for donations Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM. Donations can also be made securely online at www.kelownafoodbank.com.
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.