November 29, 2010 | Ontario

Toronto, ON - November 29, 2010 - More and more Canadians are struggling to put food on the table every day, and are turning to their local food bank to feed their families.

Canadian Food Bank Statistics

Food Banks Canada, the national organization that represents the food bank community across Canada, recently released its annual report on hunger and food bank use in the country. According to HungerCount 2010, 867,948 people were assisted by a food bank in an average month in order to have enough to eat. That is a 28% increase since 2008 - and the highest level of food bank use on record in Canada.

Of the nearly 900,000 recipients, half of the households were made up of families with children. In fact, 38% of those helped by food banks were children and youth. As well, 51% were on social assistance, proving that Canadians are still feeling the effects of the recession despite an improving economy.

Food Donations

Food Banks Canada distributes more than 10 million pounds of food donations to food banks throughout the country, who in turn feed those in need. This year, every province experienced an increase in the number of people requiring help, but 35% of food banks ran out of food and 50% were forced to cut back on the amount of food provided to each household.

With the holiday season approaching, food banks are bracing to meet these growing food demands and require more donations to feed those who are in need.

CDI College Food Bank Drive

This year, to lend support to those Canadians who are in need, CDI College will be holding a food bank drive at each of its campus locations. Each campus in being challenged to collect the most food, which will be sent to the local food bank at the end of the month. Do your part and bring in a non-perishable item of food to school during the month of December. The winning campus will be announced in January's Connect Newsletter.

Food Bank Volunteer

You can also donate your time as a food bank volunteer. With increased need, and donations, food banks across the country are in need of all the help you can give. For more ways to donate, visit Food Banks Canada at www.foodbankscanada.ca.