Going hungry
NOW news
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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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