As more people than ever before turn to food banks for help, Gleaners Food Bank is marking Hunger Action Month by encouraging residents to learn more about what’s driving hunger in their community and how to support lasting solutions.
Hunger Action Month is an annual province-wide campaign led by Feed Ontario and food banks across the province to raise awareness about food insecurity. Throughout September, communities across the province come together to learn more about hunger, support local food banks, and advocate for long-term solutions that reduce food insecurity and poverty.
Hunger exists in every community in Ontario, including Belleville, where high rental rates and the cost of living are making it harder for people to afford their basic necessities. As a result, more children, adults, seniors, and working people need to turn to food banks for support.
“Hunger exists in every community in Ontario, but it doesn’t have to be this way,” said Carolyn Stewart, CEO of Feed Ontario. “Record-high food bank use isn’t about food, it’s a sign that more people can no longer afford their basic necessities. Hunger Action Month is an opportunity to better understand why so many people are struggling to make ends meet and to have important conversations about how we can work together to build stronger, healthier communities.”
“Every day, we meet people who never imagined they would need a food bank,” added Peter Kerr, Gleaners’ Executive Director
“In Belleville, we’re seeing more families, seniors, and working people reaching out for help simply because they can’t keep up with the cost of living. We know this is a problem that can be solved with support from leaders in our community and in the province.”
Throughout September, Gleaners Food Bank will be participating in Hunger Action Month by holding a Food Insecurity Summit, promoting volunteer opportunities and getting our community ready for its major food drive happening on October 1.
Community members can also get involved by:
· Learning about hunger in their area by using Feed Ontario’s new “Hunger in My Community” tool: https://feedontario.ca/hunger-in-my-community
· Supporting their local food bank through donations or volunteering.
· Asking municipal election candidates how they plan to reduce hunger and poverty.
