Toronto Food Bank Use Up in Inner Suburbs But Down Downtown

Today (Sept. 21) marks the beginning of Hunger Awareness Week -- which runs through Friday, Sept. 25 -- and a recent study into Toronto food bank usage reveals it's on the rise in the suburbs but going down downtown.

According to the annual Who’s Hungry report, food bank use in the inner suburbs of Scarborough, North York, York and Etobicoke has risen 45 percent since 2008. Conversely, usage has dropped by 16 percent in Old Toronto. However, the overall usage of food banks across Canada has risen 25 percent.

The average amount of time users relied on the service also doubled from 12 months to two years, with food banks receiving a 12 percent rise in visits since the recession. Of the 850,000 Canadians who rely on food banks, 37 percent are children.

So how can you help? Food Banks Canada has compiled a list of 5 ways to participate in Hunger Awareness Week, which seeks to raise awareness for over 800 food banks across Canada. While you're there, check out what hunger looks like in your province.