>X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Date: Thu, 18 May 2000 15:25:07 -0400 >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >From: Bob Olsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: 20% Torontonians without basic necessities >Mime-Version: 1.0 > > > > >CITY OF TORONTO > >Attention News Editors: > >Report finds 20 per cent of Torontonians live without basic >necessities > > >TORONTO, May 18 /CNW/ - The (City of Toronto) Food and Hunger >Action Committee's preliminary report finds a growing food >crisis in the city, with 20 per cent of Torontonians unable to >afford basic needs and facing difficult choices-such as paying >rent or buying food. > >"We know there is something wrong when every month 50,000 >children in this city depend on food banks for their meals," >said Committee Co-chair Pam McConnell, Councillor for Don River. >"One hundred and twenty thousand people are relying on food >banks every month. We estimate 40 per cent of them are children >and another 11 per cent are seniors." > >"We cannot call ourselves the greatest city in the world and >the best place in the world to do business when so many people >must rely on food banks, meal programs, volunteers and community >groups to have their basic food needs met," said Co-chair Chris >Korwin-Kuczynski, Councillor for High Park. "We know that chronic >hunger leads to serious health problems in babies, children and >adults. We cannot allow our poorest citizens to suffer permanent >health damage because they don't have enough money to buy >groceries." > >Cuts by senior levels of government to social programs and a >serious lack of affordable housing are seen as pushing hunger to >a critical point in Toronto. Food security is a complex problem >and involves a wide range of issues including poverty, local >agriculture, accessibility of grocery stores, and lack of >transportation. Poor planning has left many communities without >access to grocery stores or other affordable food sources. While >emergency programs are helping to provide short-term solutions >to the problem, they are unable to meet the growing demand or >solve the causes of hunger. Research in the area of health and >nutrition also points to serious long-term health implications >for those who chronically go without nutritious food. > >Key findings in the report include: > >- The service system is straining and food security > is a complex issue. >- There are significant regional disparities across Toronto. >- Food programs do make a difference. >- The city already plays a strong role but needs to do more. > All levels of government must do more. > >The Committee will consolidate findings of the community >consultations into a final report to City Council in July 2000. >The Food and Hunger Action Committee was struck by City Council >in December 1999 with the mandate of improving food security and >access to nutritious food and to reduce hunger in Toronto. The >Committee toured the city to learn first hand about food and >hunger issues directly from program users, providers and experts >in the field. > >-30- > >For further information: >Councillor Pam McConnell: (416) 392-7916 >Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski: (416) 392-7919 >Anne McLaughlin - Corporate Communications: (416) 397-5707 > > > ............................................. > Bob Olsen, Toronto [EMAIL PROTECTED] > ............................................. >
