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Food banks could go bust with no government aid

An additional 475,000 Ontarians could fall into poverty by 2010 -- overwhelming the province's food bank system -- without significant government investments in support programs, a new report warns.

Adam Spence, of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB), said yesterday that the economic times have already contributed to additional demand for their services.

"We're feeling the impact of these trends on the front line with alarming increases in the number of Ontarians turning to food banks in almost every community that we serve in our network from Windsor to Ottawa, and Thunder Bay to Niagara Falls," Spence said.

A study prepared for the OAFB by Spence and Nate Laurie -- Fighting Poverty: The Best Way to Beat the Recession -- urges the provincial government to accelerate planned Ontario Child Benefit increases, loosen restrictions on social assistance, construct and repair social housing and invest in full day learning for children.

The report estimates such measures would cost about $2-$2.25 billion but would help stimulate the economy by putting money into the hands of the people most likely to spend it in their community.

The Dalton McGuinty government has promised a poverty agenda with details expected in its March 26th budget.

However, the government has also said it has been under enormous pressure to fund poverty programs, education and job creation and expects to run up an $18-billion deficit over the next two years.

Recent food bank use has gone up 20-40%.

The Toronto Sun
ANTONELLA ARTUSO
Friday, March 13, 2009 

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