 Nine-year-old Jason doesn't have a lot of food in his house. “Sometimes there is nothing in our refridgerator,” he told a Salvation Army worker. “If The Salvation Army didn't give me lunch I'd be hungry.” As The Salvation Army recognizes Hunger Awareness Week, May 5-9, we acknowledge that the fight to end hunger is far from over. “The effects of hunger are serious,” says Captain Les Marshall, Territorial Public Relations and Development Secretary for The Salvation Army Canada and Bermuda. “Lack of access to adequate and nutritious food affects physical and mental health, academic achievement, economic productivity and more.”  Four million people in Canada, including more than a million children, have inadequate or insecure access to food. While the Canadian economy is relatively stable, many families and individuals continue to struggle to make ends meet and are forced to choose between shelter and food. Last year, The Salvation Army served 2.6 million free meals at our feeding centres and 100,000 children were fed through our school feeding programs. “The Salvation Army will continue to serve as long as there is a need,” says Captain Marshall. Recently a young boy who receives lunch from The Salvation Army in Regina, Sask., approached one of our workers. “Here is all my allowance,” he said, placing a loonie in the workers' hand. “You helped me and I want you to have it.” Please help us work towards a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit www.salvationarmy.ca for more information about volunteer and donor opportunities. |
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