Food Banks Call Out In Hard Economic Times...Like Now

Open letter from
Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Food Banks:

One month ago, a CBC/Environics poll found that37% of Canadians were worried about being able to make ends meet. Thedisturbing developments of the past week in the world's financial markets haveshown that they had good reason to worry.

The Canadian Association of Food Banks is very concerned that the currenteconomic crisis could lead to an increase in hunger and food bank use inCanada. As a national network of charitable food programs, we have reason tobe concerned during a weak economy. Food banks face an increase of people inneed of assistance, combined with a decline in donations of food and funds asindividual and corporate donors are forced to tighten their discretionarybudgets.

We are particularly concerned about two groups in particular: seniors,and working people with a precarious hold on the labour market. Seniors, whomake up a small but significant proportion of people assisted by food banks,may be facing drastic reductions in the value of their nest eggs. Workingpeople face job losses as businesses struggle with slackening demand, and withfinding the credit necessary to maintain their operations.

More than 720,000 people in Canada are assisted by food banks everymonth, and 2.7 million live in households where hunger is a daily anddistressing reality. The past 10 years have seen unprecedented economic healthin Canada overall, with GDP rising and unemployment declining. Nevertheless,food bank use was 8.4% higher in 2007 than it was in 1997.

As it is, downturns in Canada's manufacturing and forestry sectors havekept food banks busy, particularly in hard-hit areas like Windsor, ThunderBay, northern Quebec and western Alberta. According to recently-releasedStatistics Canada data, 247,000 manufacturing jobs were lost between 2004 and2007. In the past year alone, employment in the forestry sector has plummetedby 15%. And hunger is not limited to households in regions that have seeneconomic downturns. Though we hear about the thriving energy and resourcedevelopment sectors in our western provinces, many in the west are being leftbehind. Economic growth has brought with it rising costs of housing, gas,heating oil and food. It is too often the case that those who have moved westto find prosperity quickly discover that their most pressing need is to find afood bank.

After several years of economic growth, it is now crystal clear that arising tide does not lift all boats. On a daily basis, Canadians struggle withhunger. This problem has been plaguing our country for almost three decades.To properly address it, we need federal party leaders to provide visionaryleadership, focused into a realistic, long-term, actionable national povertyreduction strategy. Though it touches many, hunger is too often a problem thatgoes unvoiced. Our leaders must face up to the problem and join the search forsolutions.


(About the Canadian Association of Food Banks: CAFB is a national charitableorganization representing the food bank community across Canada. Over 720,000people access food banks each month - 39% are children. CAFB conductsresearch, engages in public education and advocates for public policy changeto eliminate the causes of hunger in Canada. In 2007, the CAFB acquired andshared 8 million pounds of food industry donations through its National FoodSharing System for hungry Canadians.)

Canada's growing economic gap

Canada is a prosperous nation. There is no doubt about that. Immigrants from all over the world apply to become residents and citizens continue to find new and interesting ways to express their love (and, at times, hate) for this great nation.

However, despite our civic pride, the fact remains:

"Canada’s income gap is growing: In 2004, the richest 10% of families earned 82 times more than the poorest 10% – almost triple the ratio of 1976, when they earned 31 times more. In after-tax terms the gap is at a 30-year high."

This declaration comes from a new report by the Ottawa-based Center for Policy Alternatives -- a progressive think-tank that commissioned Statistics Canada to examine and analyze income and labour hours for all Canadians.

Unfortunately, those working intimately with social justice issues are not surprised. The fact that the statistics show the increasing disparity between the socio-economic is simply a confirmation of what we have known for quite a long time.

While I cannot speak for anyone else, I will state that I am not inherently against the capitalist system or the pursuit of a better economic life. I truly believe that if this is the sole aim for specific people, than they should have a right to pursue this goal. However, the report released today also states:

"Work is not enough: All but the richest 10% of families are working more weeks and hours in the paid workforce (200 hours more on average since 1996) yet only the richest 10% saw a significant increase in their earnings – 30%."

Now, after qualifying my stance, it must be said that any pursuit for a better economic life MUST hinge upon the notion that working longer and harder gets you further. This new report quantifiably proves that this simply is not the case.

Hence, there must be other factors at play. In essence, then, we as Canadians need to examine the structure of our society and our nation. Are there economic barriers to those in the lowest income brackets? Are there priviledges -- both economic and social -- that protect the upper echelon of society and prevent other socio-economic groups from participating and benefitting from our rich nation-state?

While capitalism may be our chosen economic system, rampant free-market reign is NOT. As such, I do not believe the right to pursue the highly individualistic goal of economic wealth should surpass the necessity to take care of all members of society. We need to examine the way we have structured our labour, economic and social system. Perhaps start with a few simple, attainable goals -- such as a standard Living Wage implemented across the country. This would move us one step towards a more prosperous society, which, in the end, benefits all.

To read the full report click HERE.