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Thursday, November 24, 2011
Ontario Food Banks Association Recommendations Miss Mark!
Food Banks Ontario Cite Low Incomes as Root of Food Bank Need!
Food Banks Ontario notes the percentage of children accessing food bank programs, has remained consistent at more than 37% since 2001. This is not acceptable. In 2011 food security is far from reality for the 395,106 Ontarians who access food banks and
their affiliated programs across the province every month. This number can further be broken down into 246,887 adults and 148,219 children under the age of 18 who must swallow their pride and turn to food banks for help. Although overall food bank usage in Ontario decreased by 1.7% over last year, it continues to remain unacceptably high.
Low Wages Cited as Root of Problem
Low income, whether in the short or long term, is at the root of the persistent need for charitable food assistance in Canada. Food banks began operating in the early 1980s, near the beginning of a long period of economic transformation that saw major
sectors of the Canadian economy – manufacturing, forestry, farming, fishing, mining – recede as sources of jobs and income. Public supports for those in economic difficulty have been scaled back, with both social assistance and Employment Insurance becoming more difficult to get, and providing less to those who are eligible. It has become harder to find and keep a good job, and nearly impossible to afford even basic food, clothing, and adequate shelter, if one is receiving government assistance for any length of time. It is an unfortunate reality that food banks have grown, by necessity, to fill the gap.To this end, the OAFB will continue to take advantage of every opportunity to be the voice of the food bank community in Ontario, and advocate three key recommendations for action by the provincial government.
Three Key Ontario Provincial Recommendations-None Addressing Root:
Food Banks Ontario advocate the following three actions for the provincial government.however none of these recommendations address the root of the problem-low wages. Neither do they remove the stigma attached to people needing to use the Food Banks.Here are the recommendations:
- Implement a Food Bank Donation Tax Credit for Farmers to benefit farmers who donate excess food to local food banks.
- Introduce a Housing Benefit for Low-Income Tenants so they won’t have to choose between paying rent and buying food.
- Encourage food producers and processors to donate a fixed percentage of their annual product to food banks across the province.
What do you think of these recommendations? Would they make a difference in our community?
Food Banks operate in our rural area in Omemee, Bethany, Downeyville,Dunsford,and Millbrook. Omemee Christian Outreach provides free dinners each Monday evening.
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