Food bank usage in Canada has according to recent findings increased by more than 35 per cent from pre-pandemic levels, highlighting a troubling trend and pointing to a need for more to be done to help vulnerable families and individuals.
Whether the findings will prompt provincial and federal governments to do more to address the root causes that are driving the need for increased food bank usage remains an open question.
What is known is that with its vast wealth and virtually unlimited resources, Alberta is one province that should be able to do more to help reverse the latest food bank usage trend.
The Food Banks Canada HungerCount 2022 report was released Oct. 27, examining usage at more than 4,000 food banks, including in Alberta.
The findings show the impact rapid inflation and a lack of adequate social supports is having on poverty, food insecurity and hunger in Canada, say officials.
“Canada’s food banks are facing uncharted challenges as turbulent economic conditions continue to exacerbate and deepen systemic inequities, especially for employed people earning low income, students and seniors on fixed incomes,” said Kirstin Beardsley, chief executive officer of Food Banks Canada.
The 2022 food bank report is a “devastating wake-up call for all people living in Canada and our governments must take action to address the hunger that is destroying communities and lives,” she said.
The organization says fully one-third of all food bank clients in Canada are now children, representing about 500,000 food bank visits per month. As well, food bank usage by seniors has increased from 6.8 per to 8.9 per cent of total visits.
While issues such as provincial-federal government conflict and opposition to vaccine mandates have been the focus of much recent effort by the new Danielle Smith regime, the need to better support Alberta’s vulnerable citizens must also have a place in overall government strategy.
At the same time, the ongoing selfless efforts of food bank workers and volunteers across central Alberta should be applauded.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
