Media Advisory - Union Members Draw Attention to Food Crisis in London, Ontario

LONDON, ON, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada are drawing attention to the growing crisis of Canadian families struggling to put food on the table. With the Conservative federal government slashing public services and laying off thousands of workers and the provincial Liberal government doing the same in Ontario, families are turning to food banks in record numbers.

Governments have blamed high levels of debt as the excuse to diminish or eliminate public and social programs, despite continuing to lower corporate tax rates for big businesses. This has left charities and food banks overwhelmed with ever-increasing demands brought on upon by austerity measures.

"PSAC members are part of the London community and they have seen the dire effects of the degradation and elimination of public and social programs", states Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for Ontario. "The London Food Bank is in critical need of donations and governments at all levels should be focusing on hunger and poverty as fundamental priorities that must be addressed immediately".

London, Ontario, has been particularly hard hit. Private sector jobs have been rapidly diminishing, with examples including the closures of the Ford's St. Thomas assembly plant and the Electro-Motive factory. Now good public sector jobs are being lost, in a city that has the second highest unemployment rate in Canada.

"The London Food Bank has never been busier, with on average 3,500 families accessing the food bank for help each month. This is up almost 20% since this time last year" states Jane Roy, Co-Executive Director of the London Food Bank. "The donations from PSAC members will help make a difference in our community, as so many Londoners face such difficult times."

PSAC Area Council representatives will present the London Food Bank with perishable food items collected from PSAC members to provide support for needy families in the London community.

When:	Friday, October 12, 2012 at 5pm
Where:	Ivey Spencer Leadership Centre, 551 Windermere Rd., London in the Asher's dining lounge
Speakers:	Jane Roy, Co-Executive Director, London Food Bank
	Sharon DeSousa, PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President
	Chris Aylward, PSAC National Executive Vice-President

SOURCE: Public Service Alliance of Canada - Ontario

Lino Vieira, Communications Officer,
Cell - 416-577-0238