Programs put spotlight on hunger in Canada

Toronto – Over the past year, almost one in three consumers has worried about how they would afford to buy food for themselves and/or their families.

It may sound impossible, but that’s one in three Canadian consumers.

That statistic comes from Food Banks Canada, who commissioned Angus Reid to conduct the survey.

The survey results are being released in time for Hunger Awareness Week, which is taking place this week from May 6-10. The aim is to raise awareness about the solvable issue of Hunger in Canada. Hunger hits much closer to home than many Canadians realize.

In fact, the survey found, one-in-five parents say they skip meals to ensure there is enough food for their children to eat; and 36 per cent of Canadians have resorted to buying less expensive food for themselves or their families in the past year due to financial struggles.

Food Banks Canada is asking Canadians to make a positive impact during Hunger Awareness Week. And there are three ways:

• Give it Up: Put food out of reach – challenge yourself to fast on May 8th.

• Give a Shout: Share your experience – show your support via Facebook, Twitter
(#HungerWeek) or blog about it.

• Give it Out: Donate food, funds or your time to a local food bank.

Partners

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is also involved in Hunger Awareness Week. FCC and its partners are hoping to collect five million pounds of food for Canada’s food banks this year to mark the 10th anniversary of the FCC Drive Away Hunger program.

FCC’s program involves driving a tractor and trailer through various communities to collect food and cash donations. All donations go to Canadian food banks. Consumers can also visit www.driveawayhunger.ca to make a donation.

At the launch of its program, on May 7, the FCC donated $100,000 to Food Banks Canada. Half of the amount will be used by Food Banks Canada to support families and individuals who use its services, while the rest will be split between Hunger Awareness Week and the Rural Support Program.

This year FCC Drive Away Hunger tours will take place the week of Oct. 14 in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, P.E.I. and Saskatchewan. Canadians can also visit the FCC’s field offices from May to Oct. 18 to drop off food and cash donations.

FCC’s partners include BDC, a national accounting and financial advisory firm; Parrish and Heimbecker Limited; and Windset Farms.

Food Banks Canada’s partners include Campbell Company of Canada, Canadian Pacific, General Mills Canada Corporation, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, Investors Group Financial Services Inc., Kellogg Canada Inc., Loblaw Companies Ltd., Nutella, Sony Canada Charitable Foundation, Tork, and Trailer Wizards.