On World Food Day, October 16th, Food Banks Canada is asking Canadians to learn about the challenges of hunger in rural communities across the country

Rural and remote communities face greater challenges in assisting people living with hunger every day

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Oct. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - On World Food Day, October 16, 2015, Food Banks Canada is asking Canadians to learn about rural hunger and the challenges that rural and remote food banks face in helping those in need.

World Food Day occurs annually on October 16 to mark the date of the founding of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. Organizations, agencies, individuals and businesses are marking World Food Day across the globe.  The goal of the day is to strengthen awareness around the issue of food security and the struggle against hunger and poverty globally. Sadly, Canadians face hunger at an increasing rate with close to 850,000 individuals each month seeking assistance from a food bank. 

On October 16^th Canadians can show their support by joining Food Banks Canada to learn more about rural hunger:

• Share the video about World Food Day and rural hunger in Canada - www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGsKBMLnURI.
• Follow the conversation on Twitter and Facebook  with @foodbankscanada and the hashtag #CargillCares. For each share, Cargill Limited will donate $5 to Food Banks Canada
• Make an even greater impact by supporting local food banks by donating food or funds or supporting Food Banks Canada's efforts to find long term solutions

"Hunger is a reality in Canada, and often an even greater struggle for those living in rural communities, because of the extra challenges food banks have assisting those in need, " says Katharine Schmidt, Executive Director of Food Banks Canada. "This World Food Day, we want to remind all Canadians to think about how important food is to our well-being and learn more about rural hunger and support their local food bank."

Thank you to Cargill Limited for supporting Food Banks Canada's efforts in raising awareness of hunger during this year's World Food Day.

For more information about food bank usage across Canada, tune in on November 17^th, when Food Banks Canada will be releasing the HungerCount 2015 report on Parliament Hill.

About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of over 3,000 food-related organizations in every province and territory that assists close to 850,000 Canadians each month. Together our network shares over 200 million pounds of essential safe quality food annually, provides social programs that help to foster self-sufficiency, and advocates for policy change that will help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

SOURCE Food Banks Canada

Image with caption: "World Food Day, October 16, 2015 (CNW Group/Food Banks Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151016_C6697_PHOTO_EN_522254.jpg

Media contact: Marzena Gersho, Food Banks Canada, [phone] (mobile) or [phone], ext. 228 (office), [email protected]