Still Banking on Food-Banks

This was an interesting article by Beth Ward of Muskoka .

"Elaine Power, an associate professor at Queen’s University and former board member of the Partners in Mission Food Bank, stated that “food banks have become a serious obstacle in the fight against poverty … they provide a comforting illusion that no one is actually hungry or if they are, it’s their own fault.” She went on to say that food banks “shelter us from the harsh reality that millions lack the necessities of life.” According to Ms. Power it is time to close Canada’s food banks because: they can never end hunger; they divide us into “us” (those who donate to food banks) and “them” (those who receive food); they let governments off the hook from their obligation to ensure income security for all Canadians, and they can never solve the root cause of hunger – poverty...She says that most people who could officially be described as “hungry” don’t use food banks – in fact, according to a survey conducted by Human Resources Development Canada, only one in four, or 25 per cent, of hungry Canadians use food banks.

Food banks emerged in the 1980s as a community-based response to address the hunger that arose as a direct result of a deep recession and high unemployment. No one wants to see other people go hungry and food banks were started as an immediate response to what was hoped to be a short-term problem. Yet they have become an accepted feature of our communities’ landscapes – another example of what caring, well-intentioned Canadians will do to support fellow citizens. Food banks have had 25 years “to end hunger.” Instead of resolving hunger, the need for food banks continues to grow and the problem is just too big for community-based nonprofits to solve. Food banks respond to conditions created by poverty. They can provide some food to some of Canada’s hungry; however, they cannot solve the root cause – poverty. Giving food to those who are hungry is a simple response that we all support. We need to explore and own the root causes of poverty and then act as a society to redress those root causes...Tackling the problems of poverty and hunger, in a country of incredible wealth and opportunity such as Canada, means coming to grips with diverse ideas about the causes of poverty and talking about how to address it. Until we sort out how to respond to poverty, at least 25 per cent of hungry Canadians will continue to need food banks...Closing foodbanks at this time would result in many children and families going hungry and unsupportable pressure on the remaining social structure within our community. I would love to see the day when food banks are no longer necessary – sadly now is not that time."

SOYMB and The Socialist Party of Canada would also like to see the day food banks disappear but until those such as Beth and Elaine stop supporting the economic system which is the root cause that creates poverty and hunger , the food banks will remain for a long time to come and continue as band-aid palliatives.