Hunger a problem in Canada, too
SYDNEY, N.S. (CUP) — Hunger is
defined as the inability to obtain sufficient,
nutritious, personally acceptable food
through normal food channels or the uncertainty
that one will be able to do so.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that approximately one billion people around the world are food insecure. Much of this population is also undernourished. The already steady trend of increasing numbers has been accelerated by the world economic crisis.
People are hungry in this country, too, and it may not be well known to many Canadians.
According to the Association of Food Banks Canada, their members and respective agencies serve approximately 85 per cent of people accessing emergency food programs in Canada. In an average month in 2009, close to 800,000 different people accessed food banks, and 37 per cent were children.
Children under the age of 18 make up that huge statistic of 37.2 per cent. Child poverty is now at the same level seen in 1989 and is directly tied to the level of household income. Among households accessing food banks, families with children make up more than half of recipients.
Similarly, the working poor are the second largest group affected, and make up 13.6 per cent of food bank clients. Other specified groups include persons with disabilities, seniors, single-parent families and recipients of social assistance.
As of now, the primary resources to alleviate hunger issues in our country are food banks, as well as community-based programs on a smaller scale. Nonetheless, the demand for food assistance continues to rise. The trend raises questions about future directions for social policy in Canada.
Food Banks Canada's mission is to reduce hunger in Canada by enabling an effective food bank community that addresses the short term need for food and longer-term solutions. These long-term solutions are what will finally change the cycle. Creating awareness and sustainable projects is a must in order to ever beat hunger in Canada or any part of the world for that matter.
This is exactly what programs like the Let's Can Hunger Challenge are attempting to do. Sponsored by Campbell's Soup Company, Let's Can Hunger is a comprehensive challenge including raising awareness, translating awareness into action in the form of urgent hunger relief and empowering those in need to defeat the cycle of hunger. Since the program launched in 2009, SIFE teams have collected 769,276 pounds of food and made an overwhelming impact on the fight against hunger.
With the holiday season soon upon us, it's time to think of those in need. Hunger appears to be linked to poverty, unemployment and numbers of people receiving social assistance. We are all in this together, but we need to be aware of the problem first. Only then can we as a country beat hunger.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that approximately one billion people around the world are food insecure. Much of this population is also undernourished. The already steady trend of increasing numbers has been accelerated by the world economic crisis.
People are hungry in this country, too, and it may not be well known to many Canadians.
According to the Association of Food Banks Canada, their members and respective agencies serve approximately 85 per cent of people accessing emergency food programs in Canada. In an average month in 2009, close to 800,000 different people accessed food banks, and 37 per cent were children.
Children under the age of 18 make up that huge statistic of 37.2 per cent. Child poverty is now at the same level seen in 1989 and is directly tied to the level of household income. Among households accessing food banks, families with children make up more than half of recipients.
Similarly, the working poor are the second largest group affected, and make up 13.6 per cent of food bank clients. Other specified groups include persons with disabilities, seniors, single-parent families and recipients of social assistance.
As of now, the primary resources to alleviate hunger issues in our country are food banks, as well as community-based programs on a smaller scale. Nonetheless, the demand for food assistance continues to rise. The trend raises questions about future directions for social policy in Canada.
Food Banks Canada's mission is to reduce hunger in Canada by enabling an effective food bank community that addresses the short term need for food and longer-term solutions. These long-term solutions are what will finally change the cycle. Creating awareness and sustainable projects is a must in order to ever beat hunger in Canada or any part of the world for that matter.
This is exactly what programs like the Let's Can Hunger Challenge are attempting to do. Sponsored by Campbell's Soup Company, Let's Can Hunger is a comprehensive challenge including raising awareness, translating awareness into action in the form of urgent hunger relief and empowering those in need to defeat the cycle of hunger. Since the program launched in 2009, SIFE teams have collected 769,276 pounds of food and made an overwhelming impact on the fight against hunger.
With the holiday season soon upon us, it's time to think of those in need. Hunger appears to be linked to poverty, unemployment and numbers of people receiving social assistance. We are all in this together, but we need to be aware of the problem first. Only then can we as a country beat hunger.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
