The number of Canadians needing to use food banks has skyrocketed since the economic downturn kicked in about a year ago, according to a report released Tuesday.
Food Banks Canada’s “HungerCount 2009” shows that close to 800,000 people turned to food banks in March 2009, an increase of almost 120,000 people compared to the same time last year.
Of that 800,000, more than 9 percent used a food bank for the first time—almost 300,000 of whom were children.
“Sadly, we’ve seen close to a 20 percent increase this year over last year. It is our largest year-over-year increase in history and we do believe that a key reason is the current recession,” says Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada.
Food bank use jumped in all regions, with the largest increases occurring in Alberta (61 percent), Nova Scotia (20 percent), Ontario (19 percent) and Manitoba (18 percent).
Given the extra volume, some food banks are finding it hard to meet the demand, Schmidt says.
Food Banks Canada’s “HungerCount 2009” shows that close to 800,000 people turned to food banks in March 2009, an increase of almost 120,000 people compared to the same time last year.
Of that 800,000, more than 9 percent used a food bank for the first time—almost 300,000 of whom were children.
“Sadly, we’ve seen close to a 20 percent increase this year over last year. It is our largest year-over-year increase in history and we do believe that a key reason is the current recession,” says Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada.
Food bank use jumped in all regions, with the largest increases occurring in Alberta (61 percent), Nova Scotia (20 percent), Ontario (19 percent) and Manitoba (18 percent).
Given the extra volume, some food banks are finding it hard to meet the demand, Schmidt says.
