'Mommy, daddy, am I going to get food today?': Saskatoon Food Bank donation aims to erase hunger

A growing number of kids in Saskatchewan are not getting the food or nutrition they need and the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre are seeing that first hand.

A growing number of kids in Saskatchewan are not getting the food or nutrition they need and the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre are seeing that first hand.

A donation by Canpotex, the potash supplier, is hoped to change that and get more food to children in Saskatoon. It’s called Food for Kids.

Volunteers at the Food Bank work hard to feed Saskatoon‘s hungry and they’re seeing a change in those who come through their doors.

“There are so many kids coming in with mom and dad. They say ‘mommy, daddy am I going to get food today?’ That shouldn’t be the case, but here at The Food Bank that’s what we’re hearing” Cherysse Mackechnie, client services manager, told CTV News.

Of the 24,000 people that visit the foodbank every month, 41 per cent are now kids.

“The province of Sask. has a significantly stubborn and difficult issue with child poverty. There are many families turning to the Food Bank,” said Laurie O’Connor, executive director.

The Canpotex donation of $450,000 over three years will go directly to help address the growing concern of food insecurity for children, according to company president and CEO, Gordon McKenzie.