Lonely and Hungry

“According to a new report from Food Banks Canada released today called Hunger Count 2019, almost half of all food bank visits were made by people who live alone. Over 4 million Canadians live alone today, and that number could exceed 5 million in just a few years. As such, the number of financially vulnerable Canadians can only increase, if our current socio-economic programs remain unchanged.”

Every year, we are reminded of how many Canadians are left behind in our society, without enough food. The Hunger Count 2019 has just come out again, and despite a strong economy and living in one of the richest countries in the world, many Canadians still do not have enough food. The report suggest that food banks have been visited a total of 1,084,000 times this past year, and 34.1% of those visits were by children. These figures are roughly the same last year, and they are much lower than in 2010, which was a record year. Single-parent household visits are down significantly, which is good news. Not having a recession in over a decade will do that to food bank data, but more needs to be done. 

Almost half of the people visiting food banks live alone. The single-household economy is clearly not doing so well. It seems the range of benefits provided to people who live alone is limited. In addition, most food bank users this year have some income, including several with student loans or those receiving a pension. While food bank usage rates have declined in many parts of the country, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador are reporting higher usage rates for this past year. 

While food banks are a safe place, people do not go to them because they want to. Unforeseen life circumstances will force them to seek help. Almost 30% of food bank users are either experiencing wage payment delays or have been laid off. As well, family breakups, natural disasters, unexpected expenses, or a sudden health crisis will often compel many to visit food banks. No other government programs can provide immediate support.

This recent Hunger Count report is reminding us of one thing. The food bank network in Canada has matured into a solid social safety net for Canadians in need, whatever their reasons. The quality of the food is no longer just about canned goods or boxed macaroni and cheese. In many outlets, fresh produce and meat products can be found and are offered almost regularly. Some food banks even train clients how to cook, so they can prepare their own food at home and become more kitchen savvy. And cooking skills are the best tool to make food more affordable for a household, full stop. 

The average person doesn’t know that food banks are continuously reinventing themselves. Beyond providing food, they help clients with income tax returns, offer referrals, and many food banks offer employment help, such as training and helping people find jobs. Their game is no longer about supplying calories but rather about nurturing the human spirit, the whole person. Food banks are safe harbors for the hungry, and they have come a long way over the last few years. They went from being warehouses filled with people sorting food with the intent of supplying basic nutrition, to becoming sophisticated soul-centered networks wanting to focus on sustainable solutions for the community.

The reality, though, is that the average family of four in Canada had to spend $450 more on food last year, in order to eat well. Vegetable prices are up 17% from last year. Price fluctuations for many food categories are cruelly unpredictable. Financial pressures on many households are mounting, which is why food banks are more relevant than ever.

But food banks need help. In June, the federal government, through its new food policy, recognized the existence of food banks for the very first time in providing some well-needed support by way of funding the purchase of refrigerators and freezers. That was a huge win. But the need for a basic income for all Canadians remains. To help children and people who live alone, welfare and pension incomes are not nearly enough. The federal government, not provinces, should investigate the possibility of launching pilot projects, accumulating data across the country, and evaluating how basic income programs can be implemented throughout Canada. Northern communities, often forgotten, would gain immensely from a basic income program. Given what’s happening with the job market, the arrival of robotics and the use of artificial intelligence, basic income programs are inevitable.

According to Statistics Canada, we now have 4 million Canadians living alone. That number has doubled in the past 35 years and could increase to over 5 million by 2025. Many of these people could become financially vulnerable. As we look at food security, this is something we need to consider.

Hunger is invisible, and the hungry will rarely ask for help. And since hunger nurtures violence, hatred and fanaticism, we need reliable, effective social safety nets, beyond what we currently have. Food banks are at the forefront of our understanding of how to engage the vulnerable in our society, the ones who do not want to be judged. Food banks are brokers between those who need help and those who want to help them. It’s incredible and it works. We should be thankful for their work, as they perform small miracles daily.