Food banks served 718,334 in 2001.

TORONTO -- The number of Canadians using foods banks increased by 90% from March 1989 to 2001, bringing the total to 718,334, according to Hunger Count 2001.

Forty-one per cent of food bank recipients were children, says the report published by the Canadian Association of Food Banks. Almost 60% of households using the more than 632 food banks across the country were families with children.

Among other use statistics:

* almost 65% of recipients also received social assistance

* 12% were working poor about 7% received disability support.

While food bank use eased slightly by 1.2% in the year prior to March 2001, economic conditions worsened and use increased significantly following September 11, the report says.

High housing costs, lack of affordable housing, escalating utility costs and low vacancy rates have forced many families to choose between paying the rent or feeding themselves and their children, the report says. Yet, governments--especially the federal government--have left responsibility for fulfilling the right to food up to the voluntary sector, it charges.

Twenty years after the first one opened its doors in calgary, there are more than 2,000 agencies affiliated with food banks operating in Canada. The report also shows that:

* Ontario and Quebec assisted the greatest number of people while Newfoundland had the highest per capita rate of use at 5.4%;

* almost 40% of food banks had difficulty keeping their shelves stocked;

* food banks with meal programs served 1.9 million meals in March 2001;

* more than 1.2 million hours of labour, including more than 800,000 volunteer hours, were logged in the same period.

The report calls on governments to take action to ensure the economic security of all people in Canada with the same enthusiasm they demonstrated for deficit and debt reduction, balanced budgets and tax cuts.

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