Help stop hunger this holiday season

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/12/2024 (281 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba has a long and well-deserved reputation as Canada’s leader in volunteerism and support of charities. This is an opportunity for all of us to re-affirm that reputation.

It was reported yesterday that the food banks operated in Brandon by Samaritan House Ministries and the Salvation Army, respectively, are struggling to meet increasing demand amid diminishing financial support.

Salvation Army corps officer and pastor James Rands told the Sun that the organization’s food bank has experienced a 40 to 45 per cent increase in clients compared with last year. He said the program has reached its maximum capacity and consistently runs out of food.

The Samaritan House food bank is in a similar situation, with more than 1,100 Brandon households accessing the facility’s services for the first time this year. That group includes newcomers to Brandon, single parents, as well as families struggling with higher rent and cost of living.

Approximately 40 per cent of the Brandonites fed by the food bank are children.

None of this should come as a surprise, as it reflects a disturbing national trend that has unfolded over the past year. Last month, a report by Food Banks Canada — a charitable organization representing hundreds of food banks across the country — found that food bank use has hit record levels throughout the nation.

The report reveals that visits to food banks have increased by six per cent compared to 2023, and by 90 per cent since 2019. There were more than two million visits to Canadian food banks in March of this year, a number that has likely increased since then, given the nation’s recent economic downturn and increasing unemployment rate.

To make matters worse, almost 30 per cent of Canadian food banks reported they regularly run out of food, and that “there are signs that the food-banking system is reaching its absolute limit.”

All of that information is troubling, but the data may actually underestimate the true scope of food insecurity in Canada because it does not include those who do not have enough food for themselves and their family, yet are either unwilling or unable to access food banks to fill that gap.

The Food Banks Canada report found that a staggering one-quarter of Canadian parents have reduced their own food consumption this year to ensure their children have enough to eat. Of that group, 90 per cent are spending less on groceries in order to pay other bills, 86 per cent are buying cheaper, less-nutritious food, and 84 per cent are skipping meals entirely.

Many non-government organizations have called for measures to address food insecurity. Food Banks Canada recommends a “groceries and essentials benefit”, which could be delivered via the GST credit payments that are paid quarterly to low-income Canadians. Other organizations are advocating for other solutions, including a guaranteed annual income, an increased minimum wage, grocery price controls, and higher social assistance payments.

Some or all of those measures could help to reduce the problem, but it would take months, if not years, for them to be implemented. Hungry Canadians can’t wait that long.

In yesterday’s report, Pastor Rands lamented that logistical and financial limitations are preventing the Salvation Army food bank from meeting the growing local demand. Referring to the ongoing Canada Post labour dispute, he said that “We generally receive a lot of donations through the mail. As of now, we’ve received nothing, and it’s making it increasingly difficult to plan for the months ahead.”

Samaritan House Ministries executive director Heather Symbalisty echoed that concern, saying that “Without donors, we wouldn’t be able to keep doing what we do. We just want to remind everyone that our food bank and safe and warm shelter still exist, and we appreciate their support.”

The Canada Post strike is preventing providing donations via the mail, but there are many other ways to support such a worthy cause. The Salvation Army website offers the ability to donate via phone and through that website. Similarly, the Samaritan House Ministries website refers to the ability to donate via e-transfer, credit card, monthly withdrawal or in person.

In addition to those organizations, the Brandon Christmas Cheer Board website refers to seven different ways to donate in order to support their work. Beyond that, the Westman and Area Traditional Christmas Dinner is hosting its annual charity breakfast this coming Saturday morning.

It takes a hard heart to be indifferent to hunger in our city — to such an avoidable problem — especially during the Christmas season. Just as nobody wants to be homeless, nobody chooses to not have enough food for themselves and their families.

We can fix this problem. Let’s work together, as Brandonites, to ensure that no citizen — no child — goes hungry this Christmas. There are many ways to support the organizations that are working to end food insecurity in Brandon. We encourage you to support that worthy cause.