Challenge Summer Hunger with Food Banks Canada's Every Plate Full Campaign

TORONTO, May 16, 2018 /CNW/ - With close to one million Canadians in need of food banks during the summer months, Food Banks Canada's Every Plate Full campaign is highlighting that while the winter holidays are the traditional season of giving, food banks also need support in the summer, because food insecurity doesn't take a summer break. Food bank organizations across Canada are relying on the support of donors to help end summer hunger.

This year, the Every Plate Full campaign has launched the #SummerHungerChallenge to invite Canadians to get involved and raise enough funds to provide the 26 million meals that are needed this summer. The campaign and the #SummerHungerChallenge will kick off on May 28, 2018.

"With the support of corporate sponsors such as French's, donor support, and strategic partnerships, we are able to provide meals across Canada for as little as one dollar for three meals*," says Chief Development and Partnerships Officer, Tania Little. "Monetary donations from Canadians across the country are leveraged with the help of our great corporate partners,  which helps us stretch each dollar in order to address summer hunger."

The summer can be the most challenging season for families living with food insecurity. With kids out of school, the breakfast and lunch programs that families rely on during the school year are no longer available. Not only is there a limited ability to make healthy food choices, for people living with food insecurity, every day brings difficult decisions.

Food Banks Canada invites Canadians to come together to take the #SummerHungerChallenge and raise funds in the following ways:

• Visit www.everyplatefull.ca to donate directly, every dollar helps. You can also get more information and inspiration online.
• Try feeding yourself on a dollar a day.
• Share your experience - success or fail - using #SummerHungerChallenge on social media.
• Donate the money you would have usually spent on food that day to the Every Plate Full campaign and we'll turn it into multiple meals.

"Hunger in the summer is not at the top of mind for most people," adds Tania. "As Canadians challenge one another, we're hoping to educate and build awareness, and in turn, fill plates across the country during a critical time when shelves can often run low in local communities."

Corporations, local businesses and organizations are also encouraged to take this as an opportunity to raise funds and challenge other teams for their local food bank. Visit www.everyplatefull.ca/teams if you would like to register as a team and take on the #SummerHungerChallenge.

*The meal value based on one pound of food per meal.

About Food Banks Canada
We provide national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network in Canada. Together, the food banking network assists over 860,000 Canadians who turn to food banks each month. Food Banks Canada leads national research to advance public policy so that we can build a Canada where no one goes hungry.

SOURCE Food Banks Canada

Media contact: Danielle Lalonde, Food Banks Canada, [phone], ext. 232, [email protected]