How many Nova Scotians are hungry?
In March 2008, 16,915 Nova Scotians were assisted by a food bank. The total number of Nova Scotians receiving food assistance in Nova Scotia each month is at least 38,000 including those individuals who rely on food from shelters, soup kitchens, breakfast programs, prepared meal services, and emergency food assistance programs.
Why are Nova Scotians using food banks?
Nova Scotians may experience financial hardship and food insecurity for reasons such as job loss, medical crises, or family breakup.
However, HungerCount 2008, a comprehensive report on hunger and food bank use in Canada, reports that insufficient income is the single most important variable influencing hunger in Canada.
Increasingly, working Nova Scotians find themselves turning to food banks to make ends meet.
Who is hungry in Nova Scotia?
HungerCount 2008 indicates that the percentage breakdown of households receiving assistance from food banks in Nova Scotia includes:
People with no income......................................................................................
5%
People receiving Employment Insurance..........................................................7%
Pensioners...........................................................................................................8%
Working poor......................................................................................................
10%
Individuals with disabilities.................................................................................
11%
Individuals and families living on social assistance ..............................................
55%
People with other income....................................................................................
4%
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The Canadian Federal Labour Standards Review
Submission by FEED NOVA SCOTIA.
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