Hunger is a predicament that plagues citizens worldwide, and Peel Region is far from an exception. The Interactive Hunger Map illustrates food bank use per capita and shows that hunger exists in every electoral riding in Ontario. In Peel Region, food bank usage ranges from 1-3% per capita, with citizens in Mississauga experiencing the highest rates of hunger. This means that, on average in Peel Region, between 1 to 3 people per 100 people have visited a food bank in the past year.

September Hunger Action Month was established by Feeding America in 2008. The nonprofit organization with a collective of 200 food banks throughout the United States found that hunger impacts adults and children alike. A significant proportion of children across United States and Canada go to school without breakfast, which is detrimental to their academic performance and further exacerbates the cycle of poverty.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened hunger throughout the community. A survey conducted by Daily Bread Food Bank “Hunger Lives Here: Risks and Challenges Faced by Food Bank Clients During COVID-19” found visits to food banks increased by 25% since the onset of the pandemic, with a 200% increase in new clients accessing food banks. For residents who were already running on a low budget, the inability to shop around and the lack of food discounts from flyers presented a major hinderance to independent food procurement. The survey also found that a large portion of food bank clients are at a greater risk for severe illness of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions and/or an age greater than 60 years.

How can I help?

We invite you to take action this September Hunger Action Month through:

• Raising awareness: Spread the word on social media using the hashtag #hungeractionmonth. On an empty plate, write something that you cannot do when you’re hungry (eg. I can’t focus or I can’t sleep) and post a picture of yourself holding the plate on your social platforms.
• Giving time: Volunteer for a local food bank in your community. For instance, you can help serve meals with Knights Table as a Food and Beverage Server or a Volunteer Food Bank Assistant
• Donating financially: Food banks are always seeking financial donations! If you’re in a position to help out, consider contributing to a food bank in your local community below:

Food Banks in Mississauga:

• Seva Food Bank
• Mississauga Food Bank
• Food Banks Canada
• Mississauga Temple Community Church “Celebrate Recovery – Mississauga- Family and Community Services”
• Eden Food for Change
• Guru Singh Sabha Malton
• ICNA Relief Canada-Muslim Family Services
• Mississauga Seventh Day Adventist Church
• Mt Zion Apostolic Church
• Muslim Welfare Centre – Mississauga Food Bank
• Malton Food Bank
• Sai Dham Food Bank
• Salvation Army Community and Family Services

Food Banks in Brampton:

• Knights Table
• Langar Seva Meal
• Salvation Army Brampton Citadel Community Church
• Ste Louise Outreach Centre

Food Banks in Caledon:

• The Exchange

Sources:

https://www.centralwesthealthline.ca/healthlibrary_docs/FoodBanksandFoodProgramsBramptonCaledonMalton.pdf

https://www.dailybread.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/KeyMessaging_COVID_FINAL-1.pdf

http://map.feedontario.ca/

https://www.dailybread.ca/blog/hungeractionmonth/

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/hunger-action-month/