Food bank 'a blessing' for injured Winnipeg woman

Lanna Diamond, 50, never imagined she would one day rely on the food bank where she volunteered. She, along with thousands of other Manitobans, uses a food bank to make ends meet.

A new HungerCount report byFood Banks Canadasuggests morepeople in the province are using food banks than last year.

The network of provincial associations, food banks and food agencies found that 63,791 people in Manitoba used a food bank in March 2015, up 3.4 per cent compared to March 2014. That's more than the national average, which increased 1.3 per cent.

Diamond's reliance on food banks began afterasevere car accident in 2011 caused injuries to her neck and forcedher to undergo surgery. A long recovery time ledDiamond to quit her job as an addictionscounsellorand go on disability benefits.

Soon after, she began to use services atWinnipeg Harvest to make ends meet. It was the samefood bank she had volunteered at for more than 20 years.

"It came as quite a shock to myself in the beginning, but now that I've crossed the barrier of accepting my situation I'm feeling a lot better about myself," she said.

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Diamond's story is echoed across the country; individuals and familiesturnto food banks because government assistanceisnot high enough tocover living and food expenses, the report says.

"Manitoba doesn't look good," said David Northcott, executive director of Winnipeg Harvest. "Second largest jump since 2008. The number 1 jump was Alberta, but number 2 was Manitoba."

Alberta was an outlier in the 2015 HungerCount report food bank use in that province increased 23.4 per cent.

Looking at the overall trend of food bank use in the Manitoba, 57.6 per cent more Manitobans are using food security agencies than in 2008.Nearly 42 per cent of Manitoba food bank users are children, the report said.

"When foodbank activity is going up or down, this is an instant measure of the value of the economy and how family incomes are doing, because basically, it's about family income," Northcott said.

"If people have enough money, they're not going to use the foodbank;if they don't, they're going to use the food bank."

Reducing Manitoba'sreliance on food banks

Food Banks Canada makes four recommendations they say will help alleviate need for food banks:

• create a basic income to replace provincial social assistance programs;
• increase the availability of affordable housing;
• reinstate and enhance employment and training supports for Canadians with low literacy levels; and
• increase food security and reduce hunger in northern communities.

Northcott agrees with Food Banks Canada: a basic income for all Canadians is asolution that could reducereliance on food banks.

"The foodbank numbers in Winnipeg and in Manitoba and Canada are telling Canadians that we can't repeat what we've done for 30 years. We need to be able to look at this differently, and one of the ways looking at it differently is now is the time to look at a basic income," he said.

The 2015 HungerCount report used information gathered from 45 food banks, two meal programs and seven organizations that provide food bank and meal services in Manitoba.

Food bank: more than free groceries

Winnipeg Harvest provides Diamond with basic necessities, includingfood such as bread and vegetables every two weeks. She also volunteers about four times a month to give back, she said.

"[Winnipeg Harvest] has given methe opportunity to not push my body or myself. It's been wonderful," said Diamond.

Winnipeg Harvest does more than just provide food and personal toiletries,she said; it's been"a blessing" to her during her recovery.

"There's so much support for those that need itemotionally, mentallyjust because there is such a strong sense of community spirit here and because people understand what others are going through."

Winnipeg Harvest's most-wanted food donations:

1. Canned fish and poultry (tuna,salmon, chicken or turkey)
2. Canned fruit and vegetables (packed in own juice)
3. Canned stew, chili, brown beans
4. Peanut butter
5. Baby food (chicken, beef,vegetables or fruit, infant cereal such as oatmeal, barley or rice, formula with added iron)
6. Whole grain pasta
7. Rice (brown, converted or parboiled)
8. Canned spaghetti sauce or canned tomatoes
9. Cereal (high fibre, non-sugar coated)
10. Canned soup (lentil, peaor vegetable)