The Ontario Association of Food Banks released their annual hunger report today. Manager of Memberships and Communications, Amanda King explains what the report revealed.
This is a twenty percent increase over the past year, which is putting more pressure on our local food banks. She says there are a lot of different factors that lead to someone accessing a food bank, but she explains what they think is the cause of this increase.
The association is calling on the government to make three changes, including implementing a monthly Ontario housing benefit for low income tenants. They’re also looking for an increase to payments and updates to Ontario’s social assistance programs.
King says food banks are trying to keep up with the increase, but they continue to give to those who need it. They’re even starting to expand the services they offer;
The last recommendation to the government is to provide funding to the food banks because twenty percent of Ontario food banks run out of food at least once a year. King says the food banks continue to receive support from their local communities and are constantly relying on their generosity. To access the full 2014 Hunger Report, CLICK HERE
