Salvation Army Chilliwack

The Dignity Project is designed to educate the public about the reality of poverty in the 21^st century–and underscore the point that everyone deserves basic human dignity.

Today, approximately three million Canadians, or one in 11 people, live in poverty. The Salvation Army recognizes that poverty is a critical issue, and that everyone has a right to access basic necessities such as nutritious food, health care, education and economic opportunity.

More than 1.6 million people receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year across the country - many among the nation’s poor. This includes:

• The distribution of more than 2.8 million meals.
• The provision of 6,400 shelter beds each night for vulnerable men, women and families, making up one-quarter of all shelter beds in Canada.
• Practical assistance to more than one million people with food or clothing.

Canada is a vast country.  It ranks eighth in the United Nations Human Development Index, has a median after-tax family income of $63,000 and has weathered the recession far better than most countries.

Yet, in light of this strong relative economic position, thousands of Canadians are struggling to get food each day.

In 2010, throughout this great nation, nearly 900,000 people visited a food bank every month.  Canadian food banks saw a 9% increase over 2009 and 28% percent in 2008.

Hunger is an ever present issue.  Hunger Awareness Day, May 31, is an our opportunity to engage ourselves in the issue.

On Hunger Awareness Day, Canadian nationwide are being encouraged to adopt any number of changes that can have a positive effect.  Chilliwack Food Bank, run out of the Salvation Army, will be joining other food banks, both provincially and nationally to address this issue.  Food Banks Canada are putting forth a challenge to every Canadian, to make a difference.

” We truly believe that every Canadian can have an impact on hunger and want to inspire them to think differently and take action against an issue that affects so many of us.”  -Katherine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada

What changes can we make as a community and individually that will have a lasting impact on hunger?  Here are some ideas:

• Change what you know about hunger, you could start by reading the dignity project, set forth by the Salvation Army in March of 2011.
• Learn more about hunger in Canada by visiting: www.foodbankscanada.ca
• Meet the Chilliwack Food Bank director and get to know how our food bank operates.
• Support your food bank, financially, by donation and with verbal support and affirmation.
• Consider donating a most needed food items such as pasta, rice, canned meats and fish, dry and canned soups & stews, canned fruit and vegetables or breakfast cereal on a regular basis.
• Improve your speech and the language you use to speak about the hunger issue.
• Raise awareness of the issue of hunger by talking with your friends/family/coworkers.
• Begin purchasing a $2 voucher at any participating grocery store every time you go grocery shopping for a year.
• Click that you like Hunger Awareness Day or Salvation Army Chilliwack on Facebook.
• Share your thoughts about hunger in Canada on any social platforms you are active with, such as Facebook or Twitter.
• Call/email or visit your local MP expressing your desire to see the hunger issue addressed in Chilliwack.
• Already supporting your local food bank? Look at extending your assistance by volunteering or becoming a monthly donor.

Those looking for ways to get involved can contact the Salvation Army Chilliwack Food Bank at 604-792-FOOD or visit our Food Bank page for more ideas.

We can as a community address this issue and take action against hunger, so that no one goes hungry this year.  Get involved today!