Hunger count shows continuing need for food banks across Canada

Food Banks Canada released its hunger count for 2018 to show the public the need for hunger support in communities across Canada, as well as the types of clients they serve.

Last year, more than 1.1 million visits to food banks across the nation were used to feed hungry families, individuals and youth who are struggling to make ends meet. Lethbridge’s highest demographics for clients they serve include the single individual and children under the age of 18.

“We have a few of our categories that is quite a bit higher than the Canadian and Alberta average. Single individuals and one out of three single adults live in poverty and we are really trying to focus on that because those are the people that are being left behind,” says Neil Heaton, operations manager for Lethbridge Food Bank.

“Based on our numbers this year, 40 per cent of our clients are children under the age of 18 and a lot of them are from single-parent families and the most important thing is having a healthy meal, it is a huge issue to try and support them.”

The highest demographic locally, provincially and nationally were to people who seek out social assistance or disability supports, and Food Banks Canada wants to bring more awareness to those people along with the large amount of single and youth clients they serve on a regular basis.

“Within a month we are about 700 households. Our numbers have gone down, but the number of kids and single adults has increased in the past few years,” says Heaton.

“To directly help us, you can donate funds, food and your time volunteering with us to help with the need in the whole country. We are asking people to educate themselves and try and be an advocate for change. I think it is important to recognize that the need is always there, and because there is such a large amount of these individuals and these children, we just want people to know what the need is and to support us as much as they can.”