2016 Hunger count: 950,000 requests each month for food assistance across metropolitan Montreal

Moisson Laval, Moisson Montréal and Moisson Rive-Sud need your support

MONTREAL, Nov. 24, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The number of requests made for emergency food assistance in the greater Montreal region rose again this year, according to the 2016 Hunger Count, presenting statistics compiled by Moisson Laval, Moisson Montréal and Moisson Rive-Sud this past March. Nearly 950,000 requests per month were made in the greater Montreal region, an increase of almost 75,000 over last year's numbers.

According to the Hunger Count, the face of food insecurity continues to change. Hunger is no longer limited to certain isolated groups, but rather, is spreading to a greater number of people from various backgrounds.

Traditionally, the clients coming to food banks mostly comprised homeless people or those receiving social assistance. But more and more, we're seeing young families, students and even workers who rely on food assistance to make ends meet.

In Laval, it was observed that 30% of households receiving emergency food assistance include young adults between the ages of 18-35 years. "Youth are increasingly in need of food assistance and that's troubling", declares Jean Gagnon, Executive Director of Moisson Laval.

Food banks need support

According to Dany Hétu, Executive Director at Moisson Rive-Sud, demand continues to rise, but food donations are not keeping pace.

That's why food banks across Montreal need your help to meet this ever-growing need through the winter ahead.

"With the Media's Big Food Drive about to start, we are relying on your support to help those in need across the greater Montreal region", explains Richard D. Daneau, Executive Director of Moisson Montréal. Numerous volunteers are also stepping in to help Canada's largest food bank assemble the 20,000 Holiday baskets that will be distributed this year. "Every little bit helps, enabling us to give a little more to those in need. Together, we can build the world we want to live in, a world in which everyone will have enough to eat. So give to your local food bank. Together, we can make a difference!" adds Mr. Daneau.

Key figures from the 2016 Hunger Count of Greater Montreal

The Hunger Count is an annual survey conducted in the month of March by accredited food banks throughout Canada. Survey results from our province allow us to measure the volume of food assistance services provided by our partners serving Quebecers in need during a month.

	946,578 requests for food aid		+ 8% compared to the year 2015
	204,255 emergency grocery baskets		742,323 meals and snacks

Moisson Laval:

• 30% of households contain young adults between 18-35 years of age.
• 75% of households making their first request for food assistance were headed by single mothers.

Moisson Montréal:

• 658,256 requests per month for food assistance in 2016— an 8.5% increase over 2015.
• Growing number of requests from workers (earning employment income) and students (receiving loans and bursaries), a multi-year trend.

Moisson Rive-Sud:

• The percentage of recipients holding down one job was nearly 13%.
• The number of requests for emergency food assistance rose by 33%, due to the emergence of a new recipient groups, such as individuals and small families.

About Moisson Laval

Founded in 1981, Centre de bénévolat et Moisson Laval (CBML) responds to the needs of community organizations by collecting, processing and distributing quality foods free of charge. As well, the Centre directly serves clients in need within the Laval region, most notably as a food bank open to the public. The CBML's mission also includes the development and promotion of volunteerism throughout the city of Laval for the well-being of the community. 63 organizations and 38 schools served each week at the food bank. Annually more than 1,500 volunteers support us in our vision. For more information: visit www.benevolatlaval.qc.ca.

About Moisson Montréal

A charitable organization founded in 1984, Moisson Montréal is the largest food bank in Canada. Through its collection, sorting, and distribution centre for emergency food assistance, the organization allocates nearly 1,000 tons of food per month to over 250 accredited community organizations on the Island of Montreal. In turn, these organizations provide food assistance to thousands of people. Moisson Montréal receives funding and supplies mainly through donations. Its operations require the collaboration of nearly 9,000 volunteers each year and result in the redistribution of about 14 million kilos of food, representing a total value of approximately $81 million. Moisson Montréal has won three awards for its Food Recovery Program in Supermarkets: the 2016 Sustainable Development Award from Mercuriades, the 2015 Corporate Citizenship Award from Novae (Supply Category), and the 2015 Élixir - Coup de Coeur Prize from PMI-Montréal. For more information, visit www.moissonmontreal.org.

About Moisson Rive-Sud

Moisson Rive-Sud, is… 12 000 families helped each month, comprising 81,000 people, including 33,000 children. The largest food bank of the Montérégie, approximately 80 organisations in the region are accredited to redistribute the food collected by Moisson Rive-Sud, in order to serve the food assistance needs of vulnerable populations in the region. Moisson Rive-Sud is an important network of suppliers, collaborators and partners in addition to 420 volunteers who support our work throughout the year. www.moissonrivesud.org

SOURCE MOISSON MONTREAL

To request an interview or for additional information: Moisson Laval, Jean Gagnon, Executive Director, 450 681-6164, [email protected]; Moisson Montréal, Gabrielle Marcoux, Communications and Media Coordinator, 514 706-4201, [email protected]; Moisson Rive-Sud, Lucie Tomé, Business Development, 450 641-1895, ext. 28, [email protected]