FCC Drive Away Hunger

QUOTES ABOUT THE FCC DRIVE AWAY HUNGER PROGRAM


Food Banks Canada
“FCC’s Drive Away Hunger program continues to inspire and engage Canada’s rural communities to donate essential food and funds for food banks in small towns across the country.  Food Banks Canada, along with the food bank network, appreciates FCC’s commitment and ongoing support to address the needs of individuals who turn to food banks for assistance.”
Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director, Food Banks Canada

British Columbia
“Food bank usage in BC has increased by 21% over the past two years.  With close to 95,000 people accessing a food bank each month, programs like FCC’s Drive Away Hunger play an important role in supporting people who access food bank services.”
Don Armstrong, President, Food Banks British Columbia

Manitoba
“The FCC Drive Away Hunger Program has had a tremendous impact on rural Manitoba food banks. Drive Away Hunger has raised the awareness of rural poverty to new heights, and brought much needed support and many new partners to small communities that are trying to feed hungry families in their own back yard.”
Marla Somersall, Samaritan House Ministries, Brandon MB

Ontario 
“There are many individuals in rural areas across Ontario who rely on the support of food banks.  Farm Credit Canada’s Drive Away Hunger program helps to meet this need. This program contributes to ongoing efforts across our province to ensure that Ontarians in need have access to food.”
Ali Davies, Chair, Ontario Association of Food Banks

Quebec
“We are thankful for FCC’s focus on rural communities in our province with its Drive Away Hunger program. Their support makes a positive impact on the ability of our rural food banks to provide more food to more people.”
Zakary Rhissa, Executive Director, Banques alimentaires Québec

Nova Scotia
“Over 20,000 individuals access a food bank each month in Nova Scotia, an increase of 11% over 2009. Increases like this make annual programs like FCC’s Drive Away Hunger all the more important. Engaging our communities to help others makes a real difference.”
Dianne Swinemar, Executive Director, FEED NOVA SCOTIA

FAST FACTS

ABOUT FOOD BANKS CANADA
• Food Banks Canada is the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada
• For over 20 years, Food Banks Canada has worked to build relationships with donors and the public to raise food and funds, increase awareness of the hunger issue and advocate on behalf of Canadians who are hungry.

FOOD BANK USE ACROSS CANADA
• Each month, almost 900,000 Canadians are assisted by a food bank, as many people as the province of New Brunswick
• Of those assisted by a food bank each month, 38 per cent, or over 329,000, are children
• Last year, food bank usage was the highest on record.
• There are more than 700 food banks, and 3,000 affiliated agencies in Canada
• Rural food banks make up almost half (45%) of food banks in Canada
• In 2010, food bank use in small towns and rural areas increased by 13% from the year before
• Rural food banks serve both a higher percentage of children (40 per cent compared to 37.1 per cent ) and seniors aged 65 and over (8.2 per cent compared to 5.2 per cent overall)

PROVINCIAL STATISTICS

FOOD BANK USE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
• In BC, over 94,000 people are assisted by a food bank each month
• Of those assisted by a food bank each month, 30 per cent are children
• There are more than 100 food banks, and 200 affiliated agencies in BC
• 67 per cent of food banks service rural clients

FOOD BANK USE IN MANITOBA
• In Manitoba, almost 58,000 people turn to a food bank each month
• In Manitoba 51 per cent of those assisted by food banks are children
• There are more than 50 food banks and 200 affiliated agencies such as soup kitchens and shelters
• In Manitoba, 68 per cent of food banks service rural clients

FOOD BANK USE IN ONTARIO
• In Ontario, over 400,000 people turn to a food bank each month
• In Ontario 37 per cent of those assisted by food banks are children
• There are more than 440 community food banks and 700 affiliated agencies such as soup kitchens and shelters
• In Ontario, 34 per cent of food banks service rural clients 

FOOD BANK USE IN QUEBEC
• In Quebec, over 154,000 people are assisted by a food bank each month
• In Quebec 38 per cent of those assisted by food banks are children
• There are 18 regional food banks and more than 760 affiliated agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters

FOOD BANK USE IN NOVA SCOTIA
• In Nova Scotia, over 22,500 people are assisted by a food bank each month
• Of those assisted by a food bank each month in Nova Scotia, 33 per cent are children
• There are more than 150 community food banks across the province
• In Nova Scotia, 47 per cent of food banks service rural clients