2. Advocacy Statement
We believe that food is a basic human
right. Food is an essential part of
life, necessary to maintain the good
health of body, mind and spirit of the
children; therefore, we should come
together as a community along with the
government to support the need of
essential food resources. As responsible
advocates, it is our job to raise
awareness and take action in order to
reduce poverty rates in Greater Toronto
Area.
3. Definition of Poverty
The state of having little or no money
and few or no material possessions
Income is below 50% of median
income, adjusted for family size and
location
Urban area: after-tax is $21,851(lone
parent with one child)
Rural area: after-tax is $14,295
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIWro
I1wymg-
4. Child Poverty in the GTA:
Statistics
1 in 10 children lives in poverty
The percentage of child poverty in
North America are high compared to
other developed countries.
Ontario
In 2007, 11.7% of Ontario’s children
lived in poverty based on Low Income
Measure after Tax.
Almost 6% of Ontario children lived far
below the poverty line.
5. Poverty in Ontario
1 in 33 Ontarians use food banks
Almost 40% are under 18
26% increase in food bank use 2008-
2013
6. Poverty target on certain group
Lone parent
New immigrants
Aboriginal people
People with disabilities
7. The Cause of Poverty
Low-wage
Social assistance system
The skills and credential recognition
policies for new immigrants
Lower skills, education, or literacy
Inequality in wages
8. Impact of Poverty
Hunger can result in children’s malnutrition, cognitive
delay and poor school performance.
Families who live in poverty have less money to buy
healthy food and they spend more money to buy fast
food. Fast food can cause obesity, heart problems and
several diseases. The government have to spend more
money to community and health services.
“Higher risk of losing functioning
vision, hearing, speech, mobility, and cognition”
The children who are under poverty might have
physical, emotional developmental/cognitive delays, so
it will be hard for the Early Childhood Educator to plan
the programs according to the age groups
.
9. Action Plan (1)
Louise Thompson is the Coordinator at the North York
Harvest Food Bank.
- “The Public’s perception is that there is an unlimited supply of
food for the needy.” That is false!
- “The Food Bank does run out of basic essentials.”
- Some private corporations are able to provide financial
donations.
- The public can visit 2 days a week.
- The Food Bank is a private operated non-profit organization.
- It receives about $10,000. per year in a government grant.
- There is criteria for the Public to receive a Food
Package, which involves an individual/family to be in receipt
of OW (Social assistance), Ontario Disability or Seniors
Pension.
10. Action Plan (2)
Volunteering at North York Harvest Food Bank
- Our group sorted approx.1665 pounds of
food during our 3-hours of sorting.
- We received Training about health, safety and
expiry dates, issued on food products.
12. Action Plan (3)
Food Drive at Centennial College
FOOD DAY
Non- Perishable Food Items Needed!
We will deliver it to a North York Harvest
Food Bank .
Donations will be accepted from:10:30 AM to
12:30 PM in front of the Cafeteria
Date: March 11-12, 2013
http://www.beth-david.org/passover-food-drive-1-march-2013/
