Facts at a Glance

STATS & FACTS (Food Banks Canada)
• 4 million people in Canada have inadequate or insecure access to food
• In March 2013, 833,098 people were helped by food banks in Canada
• 77,920 were turning to a food bank for the first time
• Over one-third of those helped were children
• food banks provide about 5 days’ worth of food for individuals and families to take home and prepare
• 38% of food distributed is perishable; 62% is non-perishable
• 39% of food banks offer skill-building programs
• 32% of organizations have no paid staff
• 53% of food banks buy more food than usual because in-kind donations do not meet the need
• estimates are that 1.7 million individuals will be helped by a food bank once in 2013 and approximately half will do so for the first time

CHRISTMAS & WINTER RELIEF ASSOCIATION

• Non-profit association founded in 1988 by Tom Jackson with a mandate to raise money for community service and charitable organizations
• Has generated approximately $200M in combined cash/in-kind value for food banks and disaster relief
• Projects include:  The Huron Carole Benefit Concert Series (1988-2004 and 2012-2014); Red River Relief (1997); The Holiday Train (1999-2004); The Vigil (2001); Beef Relief (2003); Say Hay TV Special (2003); Singing for Supper (2004-2010); Hullelujah (2005-2009); Swinging for Supper (2006-2010); Rise Again (2009); Home Sweet Hope (2009-2013); ‘Twas in the Moon of Wintertime (2011); Slave Lake Benefit Concert (2011); Making Spirits Bright (2012); Halo High Water (2013)