On Wednesday afternoon Nellie’s welcomed the Daily Bread Food Bank to  launch their Fall Food Drive as well as their new report on hunger “Who’s Hungry 2011: Profile of Hunger in the GTA.”  This annual report is based on information collected from food bank clients across the greater Toronto area.

According to “Who’s Hungry 2011”, the average monthly income for food bank clients is $925, with 72% of this going to cover rent and housing costs. This leaves only $5.67/day for food, clothes and other expenses. Last year the Daily Bread had over 1 million client visits, which is an increase of 130,000 from 3 years ago.

(Executive Director Gail Nyberg, and Acting Director of Research Richard Matern at Nellie’s) 

“Sixty-seven per cent of food bank clients are receiving social assistance of some kind. That means the ‘social safety net’ we supposedly have in this province has serious holes in it, and needs a transformation”, says Richard Matern, Acting Director of Research at The Daily Bread.

The Daily Bread Food Bank has set a goal of $400,000 and 400,000 pounds of food for their Fall Drive, which runs until October 14th. Financial donations can be made online here.  Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any fire hall or Loblaws, Valu-Mart, No Frills, or Real Canadian Superstore.

Nellie’s has been a proud member agency of the Daily Bread Food Bank since 2001.  Every month they provide us with 1080 meals for the women and children at our shelter.  Their support is so important to us as well as over 170 member agencies across the city.

You can find the full press release on The Daily Bread Fall Launch and Who’s Hungry 2011 Report, here.