Anti-poverty rally at Sarnia city hall. October 13, 2017 (Photo by Colin Gowdy)Anti-poverty rally at Sarnia city hall. October 13, 2017 (Photo by Colin Gowdy)
Sarnia

Sarnians Push For Anti-Poverty Plan

Sarnia-Lambton residents are committed to wiping-out poverty and hunger in the community.

Around 80 people gathered for a poverty reduction rally Friday afternoon at City Hall to raise awareness to the issue.

Over 850,000 Canadians use the food bank on a monthly basis, one in three of them being children. Since 2008, food banks have seen a 28% increase in use.

“I don’t know what people would do without the food banks,” says Poverty Reduction Network Chairperson Karen Mathewson. “We have a community that donates to the food banks continuously, but I think the federal government needs to come forward and provide that money.”

The rally was part of the Dignity for All Campaign, which is aimed at creating a federal anti-poverty plan.

This coming Tuesday, volunteers will be handing out “Chew on This” cards at Sarnia street corners urging residents to put pressure on Ottawa to establish a plan that addresses income security, housing, health, food security, jobs and early childhood care.

October 17 marks the 25th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Chew on This card. October 13, 2017 (Photo by Colin Gowdy)Chew on This card. October 13, 2017 (Photo by Colin Gowdy)

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