November 16, 2011

Every year, Food Banks Canada conducts research into hunger and low income in Canada. They released their 'Hunger Count 2011' report a few weeks back, and the news is not great: food bank use across Canada this year is 26% higher than in 2008. In all, 851,014 people were assisted by food banks in March alone. More than ever, donations of non-perishable food items are badly needed.

When Backstreet Boy Howie D dropped by the program yesterday to do a little singing and promote his new album, 'Back To Me', he also took a moment to show us the way. Here's Howie making a donation to one of the Daily Bread food bank boxes outside our studios.

If you're planning on being a part of our studio audience between now and January 4th, we can't wait to see you - you can grab free tickets right here. And please help out the less fortunate by bringing a non-perishable food item with you and dropping it in the box. The most-needed items this year are: peanut butter; canned fish and meat; canned fruits and vegetables; rice, grains, lentils, and beans; dried pasta and sauce; baby food and formula cans of soup and stew; and powdered, canned and tetra pak milk.

If you're in Toronto on December 15th, you can also come out to the CBC Broadcasting Centre to celebrate the 'Sounds of the Season', an annual food bank fundraiser. And for those of you in BC, CBC British Columbia's 25th Annual Food Bank Day & Open House takes place December 2nd - and George will be there! The event is happening at the CBC Broadcast Centre in downtown Vancouver. You can bring donations of food or money that day if you're attending, or you can donate online any time right here.