Citizens of the Battlefords are being challenged to learn more about the issue of hunger and to take action.
"Give It Up for Hunger" is the theme of the first ever Hunger Awareness Week May 7 to 11.
Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre is participating in this week-long initiative.
Nearly 900,000 Canadians will visit a food bank for assistance this month alone. Of those, 38 per cent are children. Hunger is often a hidden issue and Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre is working to raise awareness.
In the Battlefords rise in need is represented by an increase of 15 per cent in those turning to the food bank for support, with more than 1,200 individuals, over half being children under 18, being assisted this past March.
"All across the country, Canadians are being encouraged to Give It Up for Hunger during Hunger Awareness Week- participation is especially important for Battlefords," says Executive Director Bill Hall in a press release.
Hall explains there are three easy steps to giving it up.
Give It Up - Close to 900,000 Canadians have relied on food banks this past month. Know what it's like to have food out of reach by challenging yourself to give up your lunches or a food staple for the week.
Give a Shout - Share your experience by going online to show your support via Facebook, Twitter or blogging, or wear a Hunger Awareness Week sticker
Give It Out - Donate food, funds or your time to your local food bank
"Together, we are working to raise awareness of the solvable issue of hunger in Canada in order to find solutions to reduce hunger in communities across Canada," says Hall.
For more information on Hunger Awareness Week visit www.hungerawarenessweek.ca.
