The Hunger Count 2011 report provides a snapshot of food bank use, characteristics of individuals and households assisted, and housing and food bank use. The report also provides constructive recommendations aimed at improving the economic health of people assisted by food banks and to drastically reduce the need for food assistance.
A few of the statistics included in the report:
- Food bank use is currently 26% higher than it was prior to the onset of the recession, and is nearly unchanged from 2010 – the year that saw the highest level of food bank use on record.
- As has been the case for many years, more than a third (38%) of people receiving assistance from food banks in Canada are children and youth under age 18.
- Slightly more than half of households served by food banks report living on social assistance.
- Sixty-three percent live in market rental accommodations, and another 22% live in subsidized rental housing.
Recommendations from the report include:
- Invest in affordable housing
- Improve social assistance
- Protect Canada’s most vulnerable seniors
- Update Employment Insurance
- Support disadvantaged workers
- Invest in early learning and child care
- Maintain a strong Canada social transfer
The full report can be downloaded here: Hunger Count 2011