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Report shows Ontarians hardest hit by hunger

Toronto, ON (November 28, 2006) -- A new Ontario Hunger Report released today at Queen's Park by the OAFB reveals a troubling trend: Ontario's children, Ontarians with disabilities, and working Ontarians are hardest hit by hunger.

“We see it every day,” said Sandy Singers, Chair of the OAFB and Executive Director of the Partners in Mission Food Bank in Kingston.  “They are our friends and neighbours and they are hungry for change.” 

More people turn to food banks in Ontario than any other province.  There are over 330,000 Ontarians served by food banks each month.  Since 2001, the number of Ontarians served by food banks has increased by 18.6 per cent.  What is most striking is who is hardest hit by hunger: over 40 per cent are Ontario’s children, almost 20 per cent are Ontarians with disabilities, and 17 per cent are working Ontarians.

“The real face of hunger is not what we might expect,” said Adam Spence, Executive Director of the OAFB.  “It transcends definitions of geography.  The problem cuts through our towns, cities, and neighbourhoods.  No matter where you live, hunger can be found next door.”

This disturbing trend requires greater attention and action.  In response, the Ontario Association of Food Banks will be pressing our representatives for change on behalf of those we serve in the coming weeks and months.

“Last year, we started a new discussion about hunger and poverty in Ontario,” said Singers.  “It is now time to act.  We hope that this year marks the beginning of a new partnership in hunger relief.”

This report will be followed next week by three discussion papers focused on Ontario’s hardest hit populations.  Each paper will examine one of these populations in depth, and provide specific policy recommendations.  These papers will be released on Tuesday, December 5, 2006.

The Ontario Hunger Report is a compilation of data collected through the annual HungerCount report of the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB), the annual OAFB member survey, and Statistics Canada data.  The Ontario Hunger Report and other information about hunger and poverty in Ontario are available online at the OAFB website, www.OAFB.ca.

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For further information, contact:

Sandy Singers, Chair, Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) - T: 613.544.4534, C: 613.539.0389
Adam Spence, Executive Director, Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) - T: 416.656.4100, C: 416.543.0897, E: adam@OAFB.ca