Regine Laurent and Pierre-Olivier Sappa gave heartfelt sobs at the show balance sheet To raise awareness among government and citizens about the crisis in Quebec’s food banks.
• Read more: Food banks seek $18 million, while need is “stronger than ever”
Quebec food banks asked for $18 million on Thursday to get them through the winter and avoid shortages on shelves.
Since the pandemic, food banks have faced a 30% increase in requests.
Regine Laurent calls on Chantal Rouleau, minister responsible for social cohesion and social action, and Eric Girard, Quebec finance minister, to directly help food banks.
“I appeal to the sensitivity and compassion of these two ministers. It would be intolerable if families and children here in Quebec could not eat enough,” he said.
Pierre-Olivier Zappa likes to remind everyone that shortages in food banks are a concern.
“We all have a role to play. “I do this from time to time with my team members: we go to a harvest or food bank offices and help… We do a little volunteering, it’s a drop of water, but if everyone puts their drop in the ocean, it makes a difference,” he points out.
Régine Laurent recalled in this regard that food banks, which are supposed to help people in situations of economic stress, are also “victims of inflation”.
“As House budgets get tighter, they get fewer donations from individuals and businesses,” he recalls. “Additionally, what we’re learning today is that grocers are managing their inventory more and more closely, so food banks need to buy more food.”
Although she unequivocally ruled that it was the government’s role to financially support food banks, Ms. Laurent strongly condemned the fact that public health “doesn’t have public health with food banks.”
“Why Public Health? Because children and the elderly are without food, the effects on their health can be significant,” he argues.
