2.3.09

For a Few Pennies More

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

It's Not Just About the Bagel

The Hunger Report came out in December from the Ontario Association of Food Banks and reflects figures until September 2008.

"When children are removed from the equation, we can see that over one in four Ontarians served by food banks are working.

In addition to these figures, there are also many Ontarians turning to food banks that have recently lost their jobs and are receiving Employment Insurance.

When taking these figures into account, 19.7% of those served by food banks in Ontario are employed or have recently lost their job.

There are also many Ontarians served by food banks that are not currently employed.

43.1 per cent of all Ontarians including children report general social assistance (Ontario Works) as their major source of income.....

Over 20 per cent of all persons served by food banks in this province are persons with disabilities. This figure is well beyond the population average which reports that 13.5% of Ontarians are living with disabilities."

38% per cent of Ontarians forced to turn to food banks are children.

A Challenge for you and your family?

We read the statistics, we understand how mill shut downs along the north shore and in TBay are affecting our communities. But what's it like to live the circumstances, instead of being the bystander?

Here's the challenge...

Could you and your family live for 5 consecutive days:

a. without spending an extra dime? Eat what's in your pantry and fridge - no trips to the grocery store, no stops for bagels and coffee, no dog treats...and when you're out of gas, you hitch a ride

or

b. recording every dime you spend?

Bring the results of your experience to the next Learning Day on March 12.

Read "A Gathering Storm" http://oafb.ca/assets/pdfs/A_Gathering_Storm.pdf

- Maggie

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