PUT FOOD IN THE BUDGET LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO URGE INCREASE IN SOCIAL
ASSISTANCE

Ontarians challenged to live on a diet similar to that of
many people on social assistance in Ontario

TORONTO, Oct 4 /CNW/ - People in Ontario living on social assistance live with chronic hunger and poor health because they do not have enough money to buy food. Today, the Put Food in the Budget Campaign invited people across Ontario to take part in the Do the Math Challenge. For three days, participants will accept the challenge and live on a diet similar to that of many people on social assistance in Ontario.

The Put Food in the Budget Campaign aims to urge the Ontario government to take immediate action to address the daily challenges experienced by people living on social assistance by introducing a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplement.

Anglican Archbishop Colin Johnson and Doris Grinspun of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario have written letters inviting Premier McGuinty, the leaders of the Progressive Conservative party and New Democratic Party and their respective caucuses to also take the challenge in October - and then to meet with them to discuss the need for an increase in social assistance.

"As an Anglican Christian, I believe that we need to follow the example of Jesus Christ and have compassion for those on the margins of society," said Archbishop Colin Johnson. "They are really hurting. I am participating today, and for the next three days, because this is not only a health and financial problem, but a moral challenge to which our leaders must respond. I am being joined by four other Bishops and more than 300 other Anglicans across this region."

The Put Food in the Budget is being organized in communities across Ontario from October 4 - 8. Each participant in the challenge is given a list of food that they will purchase for themselves and live on for the three day period. Each community will hold a forum after the challenge to discuss the impacts of poverty and poor nutrition on health. They will also connect with local MPPs to express their support for the $100 a month increase in social assistance.

"I don't think that anyone would deny that living on $585 per month is insufficient to pay for all the basic necessities," said Diana Stapleton, Chair, Weston Food Bank. "The people that come to us for support come from all walks of life but share the simple need to house and feed themselves and their families. An immediate monthly $100 increase for every adult receiving social assistance will help many of them greatly."

The campaign is sponsored by the Social Planning Network of Ontario and The Stop Community Food Centre and is supported by ACTRA Toronto, Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Association of Ontario Health Centres, Colour of Poverty, CUPE Ontario, OPSEU, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, and the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario.

For further information:

please visit www.putfoodinthebudget.ca. Participants will be blogging about their experiences at www.pfib.posterous.com and tweeting at www.twitter.com/putfoodinbudget.

Media Contact:
Kerry Breeze
416 829 1727
[email protected].