'Mommy, daddy, am I going to get food today?': Saskatoon Food Bank donation aims to erase hunger
A growing number of kids in Saskatchewan are not getting the food or nutrition they need and the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre are seeing that first hand.
A donation by Canpotex, the potash supplier, is hoped to change that and get more food to children in Saskatoon. It’s called Food for Kids.
Volunteers at the Food Bank work hard to feed Saskatoon‘s hungry and they’re seeing a change in those who come through their doors.
“There are so many kids coming in with mom and dad. They say ‘mommy, daddy am I going to get food today?’ That shouldn’t be the case, but here at The Food Bank that’s what we’re hearing” Cherysse Mackechnie, client services manager, told CTV News.
Of the 24,000 people that visit the foodbank every month, 41 per cent are now kids.
“The province of Sask. has a significantly stubborn and difficult issue with child poverty. There are many families turning to the Food Bank,” said Laurie O’Connor, executive director.
The Canpotex donation of $450,000 over three years will go directly to help address the growing concern of food insecurity for children, according to company president and CEO, Gordon McKenzie.
“As part of that we’ll have campaigns three times a year — in July, October and February where we will match up to $50,000 of donations coming into the foodbank.”
The donation comes at an integral time with food costs rising, combined with the fact that summer break is just weeks away.
“There are no school lunch programs going on, so families are having to spend a little bit more money on food,” O’Connor says.
Volunteers like Janey McGrath, who is here every Tuesday, sees how great the need is.
“Our society today has a lot of people who are hurting, and it’s not embarrassing to come here and ask for help,” McGrath said.
Since this Canpotex donation focuses on kids that means there will be more baby formula, milk and fresh fruits and vegetables available at the centre.
As the number of people needing the the Food Bank trend upwards, this donation comes as a huge relief.
“It’s heartbreaking. So this money that’s going to delete some of those comments that kids are hungry and I’m so excited about it,” Mackechnie said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.