Food Banks Canada facts for kids
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| Founded | 1987 |
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| Location | |
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Revenue
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$36,171,087 (2017) |
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Formerly called
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Canadian Association of Food Banks |
Food Banks Canada is a group that helps food banks all across Canada. It used to be called the Canadian Association of Food Banks. This organization started in 1987.
Food Banks Canada works with 10 groups in different provinces and over 500 local food banks. Their main goal is to help food banks work well. They want to make sure people have food when they need it. They also look for ways to stop hunger in Canada for good.
Food Banks Canada runs several helpful programs. These include Hunger Awareness Week and a report called HungerCount. This report shares information about how many people use food banks in Canada. They also have a program to teach food banks how to handle food safely. In 2008, the group changed its name to Food Banks Canada.
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Helping People Get Food
The very first food bank in Canada opened in 1981 in Edmonton, Alberta. Food banks are places where people can get food if they are having a hard time buying enough for themselves or their families.
In 1987, food banks across Canada decided to create a national group. This group was the Canadian Association of Food Banks, which is now Food Banks Canada. Their goal was to work together and help more people.
Today, there are over 700 food banks in Canada. There are also about 3,000 other programs that help people get food.
Food Banks Canada collects information about how many people use food banks. For example, in 2008, about 704,414 people used a food bank each month. Many of these people were children. About 37% of those who got help were under 18 years old. Also, half of the families getting help had at least one child.
Many people also volunteer their time to help food banks. In March 2008, volunteers spent about 440,000 hours helping out. This shows how much support food banks get from their communities.
What Food Banks Canada Does
Food Banks Canada does many important things to help people. One of their main activities is sharing food through the National Food Sharing System. This system helps move food from places where there is extra to food banks that need it.
They also create the annual HungerCount report. This report gives details about how many people use food banks in Canada and in each province. It helps everyone understand the problem of hunger better.
Another important event is Hunger Awareness Week. This week helps teach people about the work food banks do. It also helps people understand the challenges faced by those who need to use food bank services.
Working with Cheerios
In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Food Banks Canada worked with Cheerios. They made a TV commercial to thank food bank workers. It was a special tribute to all the people who worked hard to help others during that time.
Who is Part of Food Banks Canada?
Food Banks Canada works with many groups across the country. Its members include 10 Provincial Associations. These are groups that help food banks in their own province. Food Banks Canada also works with over 500 local food banks.
The 10 Provincial Associations are:
- Food Banks British Columbia
- Food Banks Alberta
- Food Banks of Saskatchewan Corporation
- Manitoba Association of Food Banks
- Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB)
- Banques Alimentaires Québec (Food Banks Quebec)
- New Brunswick Association of Food Banks (NBAFB)
- FEED NOVA SCOTIA
- P.E.I. Association of Food Banks (Prince Edward Island)
- Community Food Sharing Association of Newfoundland & Labrador
See also
