Salvation Army to Focus Attention on Hunger’s Grip on the Canadian Poor

Canadians  Asked to Picture Less Hunger During Hunger Awareness Week

Toronto, ON May 7, 2013 – Today marks the beginning of Hunger Awareness Week, May 6 – 10, and The Salvation Army is encouraging all Canadians to take a moment to recognize all of those who go hungry or who do not know where their next meal will come from. May represents Dignity Month, a time of year when The Salvation Army promotes a core belief, that dignity is a fundamental right for all.

“This week and every week, The Salvation Army looks forward to a time when no one in Canada goes hungry,” said Andrew Burditt, National Director of Marketing and Communications for The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters for Canada and Bermuda.  “We served more than 2.8 million meals to people in need in 2012, and we will continue to serve and fight to end hunger because we believe everyone deserves dignity and access to nutritious food.”

Hunger is an issue that has a grip on too many Canadians, and in recent years, The Salvation Army has seen more and more people turning to the organization for food assistance. A 2012 report from The Salvation Army, “Feeding Canada’s Families: A Report on Salvation Army Food Services,” found that 70 percent of food banks saw an increase in families served through their programs year over year. Additional findings included:

•  Almost a third of Salvation Army food banks have seen a decrease in donations at centres within the last 12 months;
• Approximately 62 percent of Salvation Army food banks reported an increase in clients;
• Both soup kitchens and food banks saw an increase in families requiring their services, with 60 and 70 percent reporting an increase, respectively.

For Hunger Awareness Week The Salvation Army is partnering with restaurants in the greater Toronto area for the “Picture Less Hunger” campaign. Restaurant goers will be encouraged to visit one of 17 participating restaurants between May 3 and 12, and photograph and share their meal on social media using the hashtag #picturelesshunger and the name of the restaurant. Patrons can also make a personal donation to the organization by adding $2 to their bill, at their discretion.

“Picture Less Hunger is a program that takes a growing trend – food photography – and uses it as a vehicle to share an important message about hunger in our country,” said Andrew Burditt, National Director of Marketing Communications, The Salvation Army. “The reality is that over 900,000 Canadians visit a food bank each month, and we rely on the generosity of Canadians to support our services. But that generosity starts with the awareness that hunger is a real, pressing issue affecting hundreds of thousands of citizens.”

The Salvation Army is also emphasizing that no dream is too small when you’re in need with an innovative advertising campaign that will run during the month of May.

The campaign includes a 30-second animated television spot, produced by Grey Canada. It features a young teen in need dreaming of life’s necessities—a warm meal, clean clothes and a place to lay her head at night – something that many Canadians take for granted. Other elements of the campaign include a series of radio spots and online ads.

Additionally in May, The Salvation Army will release a report that highlights the recession’s impact on Salvation Army programs and services for youths. Many of these programs are food based and have seen notable increases in demand for nutritious meals for youths, as parents have turned to The Salvation Army for assistance.

For more information about how The Salvation Army works to combat hunger and for and list of participating restaurants for the “Picture Less Hunger” campaign, please visit: www.Salvationarmy.ca

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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and more than 120 countries around the world. The Salvation Army offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and rehabilitation for people who have lost control of their lives to an addiction. When you give to The Salvation Army, you are investing in the future of marginalized and overlooked people in your community.

 

News releases, articles and updated information can be found at www.SalvationArmy.ca

 

For further information please contact:

Andrew Burditt
National Director of Marketing and Communications
The Salvation Army
416-845-8231
andrew_burditt@can.salvationarmy.org
www.SalvationArmy.ca