Salvation Army Sees Increase in Families Needing Assistance

The latest report from The Salvation Army, “Feeding Canada’s Families: A Report on Salvation Army Food Services,” revealed that more and more families are turning to Salvation Army food programs and centres for assistance.

For the past four years, around the Thanksgiving holiday, The Salvation Army has conducted a survey to evaluate its food programs. Each year the results have been eye-opening.

Many people do not realize the extent of hunger’s reach in this country. For many, Thanksgiving means turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. But for three million Canadians living in poverty Thanksgiving means soup kitchens and food banks — rent versus groceries. More and more families are encountering hardships. Those of us who lead comfortable lives need to remember those who don’t have enough to eat.

“Feeding Canada’s Families: A Report on Salvation Army Food Services” reviews food donation rates, current food-stock levels, nutritional value of food offered to clients and the future outlook of food services.

“There is an incredible need that exists throughout Canada,” says Graham Moore, Public Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda. “With client demand up, we hope that the people of Canada will respond with the generosity and empathy we have come to rely on by volunteering with, or donating to The Salvation Army.”