Feed Ontario, formerly Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB),[1][2] is a food bank network in the Canadian province of Ontario.
 | |
| Predecessor | Ontario Association of Food Banks (1992–2019) |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2019 |
| Type | food bank network |
| Website | https://feedontario.ca/ |
History edit
Ontario Association of Food Banks edit
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| Abbreviation | OAFB |
|---|---|
| Successor | Feed Ontario |
| Formation | 1992 |
| Dissolved | 2019 |
| Website | http://www.oafb.ca (defunct) |
Founded in 1992, the OAFB represented 125 food banks, and over 1,100 hunger-relief organizations across the province, including: urban and rural food banks, community kitchens, breakfast clubs and school meal programs, community food centres, emergency shelters, and seniors' facilities.[3] The mission of the Ontario Association of Food Banks was to "strengthen communities by providing food banks with food, resources, and solutions that address both short and long-term food insecurity."[4]
Every year, the OAFB released a research report on hunger and food bank use in Ontario. In 2015, the OAFB Hunger Report[5] revealed:
- 358,963 people accessed food banks across Ontario in March 2015, with 120,554 of those clients being children under 18 years of age
- 35% increase in senior citizens visiting food banks over the previous year
- 49% of food bank clients are single-person households
- 90% of food bank clients are either rental or social housing tenants
- Over 12% of senior citizens fall below Ontario’s Low Income Measure. This number more than doubles to 27% when looking at seniors who also identify as single
- Senior citizens are expected to represent 23% of the population by 2030
- Single person households represent almost 50% of those who visit food banks, an 11% increase over the past 5 years
- The average food bank client spends 70% of their income on rent, leaving very little for all other necessities
- 1 in 3 jobs in Ontario is temporary, contract, or part-time. An individual working full-time, at minimum-wage will have an annual income of approximately $21,000, falling well below Ontario’s Low Income Measure
In 2007, the OAFB had been noted for innovative programming by The Globe and Mail[6] and the Toronto Star.[7]
Rebranding edit
On 11 February 2019, the organization changed its name to 'Feed Ontario' to better reflect its modern activities that have evolved since the past.[1][2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Ontario Association of Food Banks Announces Name Change to Feed Ontario". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ a b Theriault, Tania (31 January 2023). "New food bank facility aims to address the growing hunger issue". BurlingtonToday.com. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ "About the OAFB – Ontario Association of Food Banks". oafb.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ "About the OAFB – Ontario Association of Food Banks". oafb.ca. Archived from the original on 2016-09-23. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ "2015 Hunger Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-23.
- ^ Maxwell, Judith (December 17, 2007). "Feeding the hungry takes an innovative spirit". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
- ^ "Greenbox Christmas". The Toronto Star. December 8, 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-30.
External links edit
- Official Website of the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) Archived 2009-09-04 at the Wayback Machine (defunct)
- Official website of Feed Ontario