http://www.cafb-acba.ca/pdfs/other_documents/HC2003_ENG.pdf

Food bank use up across the country
Last Updated Thu, 16 Oct 2003 14:16:16

OTTAWA - The number of people who use a food bank in Canada is greater than
the entire population of New Brunswick, says a new report on hunger.

A survey of food banks taken in March counted 777,869 people coming to a
food bank at least once that month. That's an increase of more than five
per cent over the previous year.

"It's a conservative estimate," said Matt Ferguson, who helped research the
report for the Canadian Association of Food Banks (CAFB).

The survey was conducted in March, he said, because it is considered to be
an "unexceptional" month for food bank use.

About 75 per cent of the food banks and agencies responded to the survey,
and not every food bank in Canada belongs to the association.

For comparison's sake, the population of New Brunswick, according to
Statistics Canada's latest estimates, is 750,594.

"It's a national disgrace," said Charles Seiden, executive director of the
CAFB.

The association conducts the same survey every year. This year, every
province showed an increase except Manitoba.

Food bank use has more than doubled since 1989, according to CAFB.

Seiden said the federal government is not living up to its responsibilities
to make sure everyone has enough to eat.

With a federal election expected next year, CAFB wants people to pressure
politicians to put poverty and hunger on the federal government's agenda.

"We're committed to keep bringing the issue to the public's attention," he
said.


Written by CBC News Online staff

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