Union News - December 2022
Last year, UTE National donated over $100,000 to food banks across Canada, while many locals showed their generosity as well, an example being Sudbury Local 00042 who donated $20,000 to their local food bank.
Food insecurity is a real issue for many Canadians. During the holiday season, it can be particularly difficult, especially in the wake of a global pandemic.
Here are some stats taken from the website Food Banks Canada (https://foodbankscanada.ca/) :
- NUMBER OF VISITS - There was a total of 1,462,795 visits to food banks across Canada in March 2022- up 15%.
- CHILDREN - 33.1% of food bank users in Canada are children, while only representing 18.8% of the population.
- SINGLES - 45.4% of food bank users in Canada are single adult households, while representing 29.3% of the population.
- SENIORS - there has been an 8.9% rate increase in accessing food banks as compared to other age groups.
- SOCIAL ASSISTANCE - 49% of food bank users are on social assistance or disability related supports as their main source of income.
- EMPLOYED - 1 in 7 of those accessing food banks in Canada are employed, with 51% of individuals employed facing food insecurity.
UTE deeply encourages its membership to join us in supporting our fellow citizens who are struggling to put food on the table for themselves and their family. We hope that this year you will join our continued initiative and donate, so we can help those less fortunate.
Ways to donate
Find your local food bank (https://foodbankscanada.ca/find-a-food-bank/) and consider donating this holiday season.
Food insecurity is an issue year-round. A monthly gift is a convenient way to support your local community all year.
Donations of time, food and household items also help. Consult the most-needed food and household items (https://foodbankscanada.ca/how-you-can-help/) list from Food Banks Canada for more information.
Cosimo Crupi
RVP Northern and Eastern Ontario
Co-Chair Communications Committee