In the midst of its annual report about a lack of action to deal with poverty and growing food bank use, Food Banks Canada offers rare praise this year.
In its HungerCount 2012 report and news conference Oct. 30, FBC executive director Katharine Schmidt said corporate Canada is increasing its help for food banks and hunger alleviation as the number of food bank users grows.
Many companies and Farm Credit Canada organize annual food drives involving their employees and community events across the country.
“We are seeing corporate Canada stepping up, and that is very positive,” she said.
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The report also singled out the Alberta government for praise because of a recent policy change that provincial food bank officials say should help to reduce the need.
In April, new premier Alison Redford announced a $400 per month increase in the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped program.
This announcement is “a huge boost for people with disabilities,” said the report.
“Across the province, food banks believe this will lead to a significant decrease in the number of people with disabilities needing their help.”
The report included a profile of the food bank in Innisfail, Alta., which like food banks across the province experienced a sharp increase in need when the recession began and then a decline in the last two years.
It is a roller coaster that is difficult to manage, said the report.
According to the report, Alberta food banks helped 53,512 people in March, down more than 5,000 from last year but still 60 percent higher than food bank use in 2008 before the recession.
