Embrace the New Year with Kindness: Support Your Local Food Bank

As we start the new year, we are filled with a sense of renewal, we embrace any opportunity to make positive changes in our lives and communities. As you set your resolutions and goals for the year ahead, remember the importance of giving back to those who are less fortunate. One way to make a significant impact is by supporting your local food bank.

The holiday season is over, but your spirit of compassion and generosity doesn't have to disappear. January can be a tough month for many families who are still struggling to make ends meet after the holiday expenses. Your support can bring hope to these families, reminding them that they're not alone in their journey.

Hunger knows no boundaries, and you know that there are individuals and families in your community who are dealing with food insecurity. By supporting your local food bank, you're directly contributing to easing hunger at a grassroots level. Your donations stay within the community, impacting the lives of your neighbours.

January is a time for new beginnings and renewed commitments. What better way to kick off the year than by making a commitment to support those in need? Your involvement can set the tone for the rest of the year, inspiring others to get involved.

You might think that your contribution won't make a significant difference, but every little bit helps. Whether it's a few cans of non-perishable food, a monetary donation, or your time as a volunteer, your actions make an impact on the food bank's ability to provide for those in need.

Supporting your local food bank isn't just about giving material items—it's also an opportunity to build connections within your community. Volunteering at the food bank or participating in donation drives allows you to meet people who share your values. Together, you can make new friends as you work towards creating a stronger, more caring community.

As a parent or a grandparent, teaching your children or grandchildren about the importance of empathy and kindness is important. It is a lesson that will stay with them for life. Involving your family in supporting the local food bank not only strengthens the family but also allows your children, and grandchildren, to see the value and the significance you put on helping those in need.

The effects of your support go beyond a single month. By contributing to your local food bank in January, you're helping them lay a foundation for sustained assistance throughout the year. Many food banks face increased demand during the colder months, making your January support all the more crucial.

There are various ways you can support your local food bank this month:

Check the food bank's website or contact them to find out what items they need. Canned goods, pasta, rice, and other non-perishable items are usually in high demand.

Financial contributions allow food banks to purchase fresh produce, dairy, and other essential items that might not be easily donated.

Spend a few hours volunteering at the food bank. Sorting, packing, and distributing food are all vital tasks where they may need help.

Use your social media platforms to raise awareness about the food bank's needs and how others can help.

Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to join you in collecting donations for the food bank.

As you step into the new year with hope and optimism, do not forget those who could use a helping hand. Supporting your local food bank is a wonderful way to extend the spirit of giving and kindness. By coming together as a community to fight hunger, we can create a brighter and more compassionate future for everyone.

Support your local Food bank

 One way to give back is to give a gift to your local food bank. Supporting your local food bank is not only a noble act of compassion but also a way to address the pressing issue of hunger in our communities. Food insecurity is a pervasive problem affecting millions of people, including children, elderly individuals, and those who have fallen on hard times. Food banks play an indispensable role in bridging the gap between those who have excess food and those who desperately need it. By supporting your local food bank, you can contribute to the well-being of your community and make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing hunger.

First and foremost, supporting your local food bank helps ensure that individuals and families in need have access to nutritious meals. Many people facing food insecurity struggle to afford or access healthy food options. Food banks aim to address this issue by collecting donated food items, including fresh produce, non-perishable goods, and even baby food, and distributing them to those in need. By donating to or volunteering at your local food bank, you can directly contribute to the availability of nourishing food options for individuals who would otherwise go hungry.

Furthermore, by supporting your local food bank, you contribute to the reduction of food waste. It is estimated that nearly one-third of all food produced for human consumption globally goes to waste. This wastage not only exacerbates hunger but also has negative environmental consequences such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and wasted resources. Food banks play a vital role in combating food waste by collecting surplus food from individuals, businesses, and farms that would otherwise be discarded. In doing so, they not only address hunger but also promote a more sustainable approach to food consumption.

Don't Forget to Support your local Foodbank!

With inflation as high as it is, many have seen their weekly grocery bill double and those on low income are hurt the hardest. The Foodbank in your local community is depending on you. If you can donate please consider giving cash. Every donation, regardless of size, makes a difference to the people we support each month. We extend our deepest thanks to our community of donors during these economically challenging times. 

The expensive cost of living has become the primary reason for people to seek support for the services provided by the Foodbank. Our local Foodbank reports that this past September, they registered a staggering 904 individuals for food support. Compared to the start of the year, they are registering around 500 individuals per month.  

Despite the alarmingly high increase in demand, they have been able to keep up with the demand thanks to you, and other generous supporters. In addition to providing food support to more people, they are distributing more food than ever. In the past 12 months, they have distributed 8.1 million pounds food healthy and nutritious food to those in need across Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster and the North Shore. 

Support your local SPCA and Food Bank

 In the middle of the coldest, shortest month of the year we may forget that there are people and their pets who need our help Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous BC SPCA locations informally offered food if those in need came in and asked for help. Since April 2020, they have significantly increased their food bank outreach services to meet the needs of people in challenging times.

Currently, animal centres offer local food bank support through the following distribution streams:

• Delivery to community partners: The SPCA provides pet food and supplies to established community food banks or other social services/community partners to meet their needs.
• Direct distribution at BC SPCA locations: The SPCA distributes food and supplies to clients who come to their location during open hours or on an appointment basis.
• Pet supply drop-off to identified communities: The SPCA drops off food and supplies with remote or Indigenous communities if there is a need.
• Off-site food bank: the SPCA sets up a community food bank in a targeted low-income area, or at a partner organization’s distribution site. An example is Charlie’s Pet Food Bank in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, a flagship program for the BC SPCA that has been running for over 20 years.

Support your local Foodbank and your local SPCA to help our neighbours who may need our help. Somethings to think about:

·   More than 50% of BC’s food banks are in rural areas (less than 10K population)

·   More than 50% of BC’s food banks are run completely by volunteers

·   More than 80,000 individuals are assisted by our food banks every month in BC

·   0,000 seniors each month access a food bank

·   Each month, BC food banks provide an additional 496,000 meals through shelters, soup kitchens & school lunches

Many food banks go beyond the original mandate of basic food support.   75% offer ‘food-focused’ programs. 45% offer ‘skill building’ programs. All this in addition to providing emergency help, while they seek long term solutions to hunger and food insecurity such as:

·   Recovery of surplus perishable foods

·   Community gardens 

·   Home canning and preserving classes 

·   Community kitchens 

·   Nutritional education, cooking, baking classes

·   Farm Gleaning Projects 

·   Supplying and Supporting School Lunch, Snack and After School programs 

·   Providing Food for Emergency Centres 

·   Meeting the Special Needs – seniors, babies, children, pregnant or nursing women

·   Drop-in Meals 

·   Farmer’s Markets

·   Working Together with Local Farmers 

·   Reclamation of surplus food 

·   Holistic Carefree dental care, shelters, temporary housing, showers, clothing, laundry

·   Nutritional Classes

·   Delivery & mobile food banks 

·   Networking to services 

·    Budgeting help

·   Employment search support

Support your Food Bank

There is a wide array of people helped by food banks, including children, seniors, single parents, working adults and people living with disabilities.

Children are over-represented in food bank use compared to the overall population. Single-parent households are also over-represented in food bank use compared to their share of the population. Single person households represent an alarming 45.1% of the households accessing food bank support. 59.0% of those who receive support from food banks indicate that social assistance or disability-related supports as their primary source of income.

This means that in Canada, 1 in 3 people who access food banks are children. This means over 300,000 children in Canada struggle to get enough food each month. This can have long term implications for children’s development, learning and growth.

Food Banks Canada aims to raise awareness of the important issue of child hunger in Canada. After the Bell is a multifaceted program that focuses on addressing the immediate needs of children experiencing hunger while building towards lifelong skills on nutrition literacy. We hope to grow and strengthen the next generation of leaders in food advocacy.  Food Banks Canada aims to respond to child hunger across Canada through:

• Providing children with increased access to child-friendly, nutritious food through working with local food banks.
• Educating kids about healthy eating, kitchen skills and meal preparation
• Involving youth in the issue of hunger and inspiring them to take action

35% of children rely on food banks when they only represent 20% of the population. A lack of nutritious food can have major implications on a child's development.

Although the summer months are often associated with vacations and warm weather, they also create challenges for children who struggle with getting enough food. The summer months leave gaps in reliable food sources, as many food programs are not available. 

After the Bell  helps to address the immediate needs of children experiencing hunger. Food Banks Canada has set a goal to assemble and distribute 100,000 food packs across the country to children in select communities.

What We Need From You:

We are currently looking for forward-thinking corporate volunteers to help with our ambitious goal. If you and your colleagues would like to participate in an unforgettable team-building experience, please contact Karen Alebon at karen@foodbankscanada.ca.

Find a Food bank  in your area.

Food Policy a first for Canada

Food security is a big problem for many Canadian seniors. In BC ~10% of the people using the Food Bank were seniors and ~ 12% were receiving some pension income.  In Canada, only about 7% of Food Bank users were seniors, with  11% receiving pension income. In March of 2018, there was 1,096,935 total number of visits to Food Banks. Food bank use continues to be unacceptably high. It was nice to see that the Federal government has come up with a new Food Policy for Canada. Although this is a good start, the Food Bank still needs your help, so as the Feds roll out their new policy, don't forget to support your local Food Bank.

The following is part of the press release that announced a new Food Policy for Canada. 

Canadian foods are recognized worldwide for the highest standards of quality and food safety. Responsible for one in eight jobs across the country, the food sector is a powerhouse of the economy, particularly in our rural communities. However, more needs to be done to improve our food system. For example, too many Canadians aren’t able to reliably access enough healthy food. Too many children are learning on empty stomachs. And we waste more than 11 million metric tons of food every year, worth nearly $50 billion.

The Food Policy for Canada is an ambitious initiative, the product of consultation and collaboration with Canadians across the country. The Government of Canada heard from more than 45,000 Canadians, including food producers and processors, experts in environment, health and food security, Indigenous groups, non-government organizations, and community advocates.

The vision for the Food Policy for Canada developed through these consultations is: All people in Canada are able to access a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious and culturally diverse food. Canada’s food system is resilient and innovative, sustains our environment, and supports our economy.

To realize this vision, the Government of Canada is investing $134 million through Budget 2019, which includes new initiatives to help achieve key objectives.

A central piece of the Food Policy for Canada announced today is the creation of a Canadian Food Policy Advisory Council. The Council will bring together the expertise and diversity needed beyond government to address the challenges of today, as well as the future of Canada’s food system. An open and transparent process, that includes letters of nomination, will begin over the summer.

Also announced is the launch of a five-year, $50 million Local Food Infrastructure Fund, designed to support community-led projects that improve access to safe, healthy and culturally diverse food. Starting August 15, 2019, eligible organizations will be invited to submit an application through the first intake period for non-repayable funding of up to $25,000.

Minister Bibeau also highlighted other Food Policy of Canada initiatives, including:

• a new Canada Brand and Buy Canadian promotional campaigns that will aim to increase pride and consumer confidence in Canadian food;
• support for community-led projects like greenhouses, community freezers, and skills training that address food challenges and food insecurity in Northern and isolated communities;
•  a challenge fund to support the most innovative food waste reduction ideas in food processing, grocery retail, and food service;
• new funds to help the Canadian Food Inspection Agency crack down on food fraud – the mislabeling and misrepresentation of food products – to protect consumers from deception and companies from unfair competition; and
•  to take the first steps to work alongside provinces and not-for-profit organizations towards the creation of a National School Food Program.

The Food Policy for Canada aligns with the objectives of initiatives across the Federal Government, such as the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Healthy Eating Strategy, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy, among others.


Quick facts
The Food Policy for Canada will invest in four short-term action areas:

1. helping Canadian communities access healthy food;
2. making Canadian food the top choice at home and abroad;
3. supporting food security in Northern and Indigenous communities; 
4. and reducing food waste

Income Inequality

The percentage of people living in poverty has increased in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The OECD is an organization where the governments of 34 democracies with market economies work with each other, as well as with more than 70 non-member economies to promote economic growth, prosperity, and sustainable development.

In a recent report, the OECD looked at income inequality and I thought I would look at people who are seniors (over 65) and teenagers and adults (non-seniors) in the United States, Canada the UK and Australia to see how we compare. As you can see from the following chart, the rate of Canadian Seniors living in poverty is 9.9%, Great Britain 13.5%, the United States 20.6% and Australia 25.7%. So Canada looks good, but if you examine the trend line you see that in the United States it is flat, in Great Britain, and Canada the trend line is up and in Australia the trend line is down. 

In the 18-65-year-old group, the trend line in the United States, Canada is down, while the trend line for Australia is flat while the trend line for the United Kingdom is up. 

Trend lines show that the conditions for seniors in Canada and Great Britain may get worse, while seniors in Australia look like they are moving to a better place. 

Income Inequality at any age can lead to problems for the country and of course for the individuals that are living in poverty. So in many countries at this time of year, many people need your help. Please support your local food bank, if you can.

The report by the OECE does talk about the situation in the US and states that The United States is one of a few countries where employment among the prime working-age population is lower today than it was in 2000.

More specifically, it noted that in 2000 about 82 percent of Americans between the ages of 35 and 44 worked; by 2016, that number had slipped to 79 percent. The shortfall of employment is most striking among workers at the bottom rungs. While more than four-fifths of the highly educated working-age population is actually working, the report says, only about half of those with low education levels are.

While the inequalities among people of working age are a primary reason for inequalities among older Americans — the inequalities follow people into retirement — ill health is another critical source of difference. More than 1 in 3 American adults is obese, more than in any other OECD country, according to the OECD, and the ill health is concentrated among the poor.

Hunger Awareness Week

This week is Hunger Awareness Week in Canada, and so I am providing a bit of background of it and asking again for people to support their local food banks.

In March 2016, 863,492 people received food from a food bank in Canada. This is 1.3% higher than the same period in 2015, and 28% higher than in 2008.  Of the more than 800,000 people 36%are children and youth, this was 28% higher than 2008. 8 of 10 provinces saw an increase

Too many Canadians do not have enough income to pay for rent, bills, clothing for growing children, transportation, medication – and food. Food is unfortunately one of the most flexible household expenses, and it is often nutrition that suffers when money is tight

Food banks come to the aid of a diverse range of people who do not have enough income to cover food. More than one-third of individuals helped are children and youth, and more than 40% of households receiving food are families with children. Single people living alone – who face a very high risk of living in poverty – have grown as a proportion of households helped.

A large number of households accessing food banks are on some form of government assistance, including pension, disability-related income supports, and welfare – a stark indication of the very low level of support provided by these programs. On the other side of the coin, nearly one in six households helped are working, yet still need a food bank to make ends meet

The Hunger Count study has been performed annually since 1999, when 718,292 people were helped by a still-growing network in March of that year. Exactly ten years later, near the peak of the 2008-2009 recession, 794,738 Canadians were assisted by a more mature, organized, and diverse network. Now, seven years since the end of the economic downturn, food bank use continues its elevated post recession plateau. Today, 188,000 more people need help each month than in 2008.

Hunger Awareness Week is a growing movement to raise awareness about the solvable problem of hunger in Canada. Food banks across the country host events during Hunger Awareness Week to tell the story of the work they do and the stories of the hungry Canadians who use food banks.

Since the first annual Hunger Count report, other national food bank networks have sprung up to join those in North America. These networks exist in Australia, New Zealand, 24 countries in Europe, and across South America. Each of them exists for one overarching reason: to help our most vulnerable citizens make it through the hard times caused by a lack of well-paying jobs and inadequate government supports.

Who uses a food bank?

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians who live in cities, towns and villages, in the country and in your neighbourhood use food banks because they do not have enough money to feed themselves or their families. Children. Seniors. People with disabilities. People who have jobs and still can’t make ends meet. As you can see from the chart below the biggest percentage of Canadians who use the food bank are parents with children.

AGE In years	0 - 2	3 - 5	6 - 11	12 - 17	18 - 30	31 - 44
% of Canadian Population	3.2%	3.2%	6.4%	6.5%	17.7%	18.8%
% of people helped by food Banks	5.8%	6.9%	12.4%	10.4%	17.0%	19.4%

In Canada, the percentage of those between the ages of 45-65 and 65+ are less than those helped by the food bank. The 45-64 year are 28% of the Canadian population while only 22.7 percent are helped by foodbanks. Those who are 65+ are 16.1 percent of the population yet only 5.3% are helped by food banks

Hunger in Canada exists because deep and persistent poverty continues in the country. For more than a decade, diverse and inter-related factors have sustained this situation: a labour market that fails to provide enough jobs with stable, livable wages; a rise in precarious and non-standard employment; a fraying income security system that does not provide sufficient financial support for those in need; a lack of affordable, social housing; and accessible and affordable child care. People living in poverty cannot afford sufficient, nutritious food. Many turn to food banks to help them meet this most basic need.

Hunger in Canada can be alleviated. Everyone can play a part in reducing hunger. You can volunteer at the local food bank, donate food and funds, approach local representatives, join local Hunger Awareness Week activities and events, spread the word at various milieus (work place, faith groups, schools, etc

Thinking of your Local Foodbank.

August,  summer is half over, and we are starting to think about the fall. Do you remember heading back to school as a kid?  Do you remember the total mix of emotions that came with it? I certainly do. I remember the anticipation of attending a new class, the excitement of seeing school friends again, and the pride in showing off my first day of school outfit. 

I even remember the forgotten smell of the early morning air during the crisp walk to school. And while my family didn’t necessarily have the best of everything, I always knew that I was taken care of and that my lunch box was full.

But I was lucky, while many are not, and families struggle to make ends meet, many use the food bank to lend a helping hand to make it through the tough times. Summer is tough for many families and planning to go back to school is also hard. Your local food bank needs your help so it can be there for your neigbours who need your help.

A food bank volunteer recently shared a letter with me that they received from a single mom who had just lost her husband. To ensure that her daughter had all that she needed, the mother made many sacrifices that you or I might take for granted. She didn’t have a car or a cell phone and often went without eating so that her daughter could have what was needed for school. This, unfortunately, still wasn’t enough. They were still hungry.

Many like this single mom, exhaust all resources before they ask for help. Your local food bank has programs that help families like this one. Because many people’s schedules are more variable in the summer, and because few summer holidays traditionally involve big meals, it’s easy for food banks to drop off of people’s radars.

People are away, and it’s not top of mind,b ut those who need food banks aren’t off on holiday

In fact, the need for food often rises in the summer, because children who normally rely on school breakfast programs no longer have that option.

Demand is the same or it increases a lot at the time when support is the lowest. So many food banks have summer programs to encourage your participation and support. Remember the demand is still high, so please support your local food bank.

Support your local food bank

June is a beautiful month, many songs have been written about it June is Bustin' Out All Over" from Carousel, June Night, On the isle of May to name a few. June is a month of hope, Spring is ending and Summer is on the horizon. We are thinking of holidays and fun in the sun. June is also a great time to consider the role that food banks have in our communities.  Here is some insights into the services that food banks provide to better help recipients meet their own long-term needs from March 2017.

Community kitchens. Many food banks operate community kitchens which are programs that bring together community members. These programs provide workshops to teach participants teach vital cooking skills.  Having food literacy skills like cooking shopping can go a long way to help learn how to use food hamper to make healthy meals.  

Kids programs. Approximately one third of those helped by food banks are children. Good nutrition during infancy and early childhood years is vital to long-term growth and health. That's why food banks often provide special hampers for families with infants and small children. Local food banks will also point their clients to community programs to help educate parents and children on proper nutrition.

Fresh food recovery. Surplus food is an essential part of the food bank ecosystem. Food banks typically access perishable foods by picking up from local grocery stores, restaurants, hotels and cafeterias. In addition to feeding our communities, food recovery programs also help to reduce food waste.

Food hampers. Food hampers remain one of the staple services of food banks in their efforts to help people in need. Food hampers will help provide recipients with essential food items to augment existing food supplies at home when times get tough. According to a 2016 report from the Mississauga Food Bank, only 11 per cent of clients visited the location once or more per month. Community programs, nutritional education and support for other community organizations help relieve food insecurity issues. But they could not operate without the help of volunteers and a steady stream of donations.

This spring, local food banks across Canada partnered with stores like Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstore to collect donations and help feed our communities. 

As the lazy, hazy days of summer come toward us, we need to continue to remember and support our local Food Bank

Food banks

About 10 days ago, I asked that you think about giving to your local foodbank and I am going to make the request again. December is a special month for many of the  worlds faith. The following multicultural events and celebrations are among those that will happen this year:

• Ramadan (Muslim)
• Eid al-Fitr (Muslim)
• Saint Nicholas Day (Christian)
• Eid'ul-Adha (Muslim)
• Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexican)
• St. Lucia Day (Swedish)
• Hanukkah (Jewish)
• Christmas Day (Christian)
• Three Kings Day/Epiphany (Christian)
• Boxing Day (Australian, Canadian, English, Irish)
• Kwanzaa (African American)
• Omisoka (Japanese)
• Yule (Pagan)
• Saturnalia (Pagan)

Many of the faiths have tenants for their followers to help those less fortunate then themselves. So if you are a religious person, or a non-believer with a strong morals perhaps you should consider helping the food bank this year, as part of your celebrations.

Buddhists  believe that there are many things which a person can give. She can give material things: food for the hungry, and money and clothes to the poor. He can also give his knowledge, skill, time, energy or effort to projects that can benefit others. She can provide a sympathetic ear and good counsel to a friend in trouble.  Buddhism views charity as an act to reduce personal greed which is an unwholesome mental state which hinders spiritual progress. A person who is on his way to spiritual growth must try to reduce his own selfishness and her strong desire for acquiring more and more. He should reduce his strong attachment to possessions which, if she is not mindful, can enslave her to greed. What he owns or has should instead be used for the benefit and happiness of others: his loved ones as well as those who need her help.

In the Christian faith, some of the words that prescribe how practitioners can help the needy are:

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:42

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35  

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14  

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.Proverbs 22:9 

In the Hindu religion the Artha Shastras, one of the Hindu scriptures written in 300 BCE by a wise man called Kautilya, gives advice for householders. It says that they should always be generous and hospitable to guests, and no guest should ever be turned away without food. Tradition says that a place at the table should always be left for atithi (the unexpected guest).

One may amass wealth with hundreds of hands but one should also distribute it with thousands of hands. If someone keeps all that he accumulates for himself and does not give it to others the hoarded wealth will eventually prove to be the cause of ruin. Atharva Veda 3: 24-25

In the Muslim faith there are many words that prescribe help to the needy, here are some:

Establish worship, pay the poor-due, and bow your heads with those who bow (in worship). (Translation of Qur'an, 2:43)

Lo! those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve. (2:277)

So give to the kindred his due, and to Al-Miskin (the poor) and to the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah's Countenance, and it is they who will be successful. (30:38)

Support your local foodbank

Support your local food bank. They serve many with very little resources. In my community, our food bank is one of many services SHARE provided our community. As many know, I was on the Board of Directors of SHARE for six years, and two years ago. I still support their work. Here is part of a report from SHARE as to what they do

Last year, 1,308 SHARE volunteers gave 45,231 hours of service in our community: that is like having a medium-sized business with 25 full-time employees doing nothing but good work in our Tri-Cities community, all year.

We know you are often asked to contribute your time and money to support a growing number of worthy causes. There is a great deal of important work that is being done by charities across BC, Canada and around the world. We would like to talk about the difference you make when you choose to support SHARE, where real change happens right here in your home community

SHARE has been serving our Tri-Cities community since 1972. We help people connect with each other, to engage with their community and to strengthen their lives by supporting them in moving forward. We make an important difference in the lives of local children, families, and seniors. We help people who are hungry, children reach developmental milestones, youth struggling with mental health issues, isolated seniors, newcomers and refugees who need settlement support, families who are in crisis and youth and adults struggling with addiction. We build strength in our fellow community members across the Tri-Cities community every day and with your support, we can ensure that this important work will continue.

Please consider making a contribution by visiting our website, just click on "GIVE NOW" button at the top right of the homepage and please pass this message along to others who may be able to help.

If you are already volunteering or if you have made a donation of food or funds, please accept our sincere gratitude for investing in the future of our friends, neighbours and families.

If you know someone who may need our help, please encourage them to visit http://sharesociety.ca/

Thank you for considering an investment in our community. Your help makes a difference!

Food Banks need our help

We are in near the end of summer, we have had warm weather and summer holiday are here, but food bank donations plummet.

And yet, more than 900,000 Canadians — about 340,000 of them children — continue to rely on food banks to get by, according to Food Banks Canada, a national organization representing 550 food banks across the country, serving 85 per cent of the people who use them.

The summer months are often most difficult for struggling families because children no longer have access to free or low-cost school breakfast, lunch and snack programs, says Food Banks Canada spokeswoman Marzena Gersho.

“When the warm weather comes, people think about getting outside in the sun and going on holidays,” she says. “The issue of hunger falls off the radar and the level of donations drop.”

Although the organization doesn’t keep statistics, anecdotally Gersho knows food banks scramble to keep up with demand over the summer.

Thousands of Canadians live in a state of food insecurity, which means they do not have reliable access to adequate amounts of safe, good-quality, nutritious food. The root cause of hunger in Canada is low income, which consistently affects more than four million of us at any given time.

Food banks are an important method of addressing this need. Each month, over 900,000 people turn to food banks for help; more than one-third are children and youth.

The people who visit food banks come from all backgrounds. They include families with children, employed people whose low wages do not cover basic living essentials, individuals on social assistance, and Canadians living on a fixed income, including seniors and people with disabilities. 

The need for food security does not end because we are on holiday and enjoying the summer sun. Take some time and help your local food-bank, either by volunteering or donating food or money. Every little bit helps.

Support your local Foodbank and charities

Support your local foodbank. They serve many with very little resources. In my community our food bank is one of many services SHARE provided our community. As many know, I was on the Board of Directors of SHARE for six years, and left last year. I still support their work. Here is a report from SHARE as to what they did this last year.

Last year, 1,308 SHARE volunteers gave 45,231 hours of service in our community: that is like having a medium-sized business with 25 full-time employees doing nothing but good work in our Tri-Cities community, all year.

We know you are often asked to contribute your time and money to support a growing number of worthy causes. There is a great deal of important work that is being done by charities across BC, Canada and around the world. We would like to talk about the difference you make when you choose to support SHARE, where real change happens right here in your home community

SHARE has been serving our Tri-Cities community since 1972. We help people connect with each other, to engage with their community and to strengthen their lives by supporting them in moving forward. We make an important difference in the lives of local children, families, and seniors. We help people who are hungry, children reach developmental milestones, youth struggling with mental health issues, isolated seniors, newcomers and refugees who need settlement support, families who are in crisis and youth and adults struggling with addiction. We build strength in our fellow community members across the Tri-Cities community every day and with your support, we can ensure that this important work will continue.

Please consider making a contribution by visiting our website, just click on "GIVE NOW" button at the top right of the home page and please pass this message along to others who may be able to help.

If you are already volunteering or if you have made a donation of food or funds, please accept our sincere gratitude for investing in the future of our friends, neighbours and families.

If you know someone who may need our help, please encourage them to visit www.sharesocietv.ca 

Thank you for considering an investment in our community. Your help makes a difference!

From all of us at SHARE, Happy Holidays and all the best in 2016!

Valerie Hutton

Director of Development