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Going hungry

Rating: NNNNN


What a family of four gets

  • 3 cans of meat or meat alternative
  • 2 cans of pork and beans or stew
  • 8 small cans of soup
  • 1 jar of peanut butter
  • 1 large juice
  • 1 large pasta sauce
  • 2 large cans of vegetables
  • 2 large cans of fruit
  • 1 large box of cereal
  • 1 loaf of bread
  • 1 large package of pasta
  • 1 macaroni and cheese
  • 3 litres of fresh milk
  • 8 small yogurts
  • Whats typically missing from food bank choices

  • fresh fruits and vegetables
  • grains and rice
  • How long supply is supposed to last

  • 3 days
  • The kicker

  • Families are only allowed to use the food bank once a month
  • The breakdown

  • Number of Toronto residents who rely on food banks every month: more than 155,000
  • Number who relied on food banks in 95: 115,000
  • Estimated value of three-day food bank supply: $40-$50
  • Estimated cost of feeding a typical family of four for a week: about $160
  • Percentage of food bank users who report not getting enough food: 30
  • Working but still hungry

  • Percentage of foodbank users who are working: 20
  • Percentage of foodbank users in 95 who were working: 8
  • Percentage of working families using food banks who go hungry at least once a week: 28
  • Percentage of immigrants using food banks who are highly educated: 59
  • Percentage in 1995: 12
  • Average number of yearly visits all users make to food banks: 13
  • Average number of yearly visits users made in 95: 6
  • Average monthly income left to food bank users after rent: $166
  • Average monthly income left in 95: $388
  • Percentage of food bank users who are going hungry at least once a week: 43
  • Percentage going hungry in 95: 15
  • Percentage of food bank users who say their health is in decline: 42
  • Percentage of food bank users with physical disabilities: 43
  • Percentage of families using food banks that are single-parent: 64
  • Number of seniors using food banks: almost double the number in 95
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