Cornwall Ontario — Hunger is a complex issue with many root causes and in a country as prosperous as Canada; it’s shocking to see so many struggle to get enough food. Over 1,000 individuals turn to the Agape Centre for support each month, and of those, 400 are children and youth. The problem of hunger is a persistent one, with the Agapè Centre providing comparable levels of food and other assistance for more than four decades.

The Agapè Centre is asking all residents to mark Hunger Awareness Week May 06 – May 10, and to Give It Up for Hunger – to make a positive impact on the issue of hunger across the city.

What does giving it up really mean? It’s as easy as three simple steps:

Give It Up – Close to 900,000 people have relied on food banks in Canada this past month. On May 8th, we’re asking you to understand what it’s like to have food out of reach by challenging them to give up breakfast, lunch and dinner for the day.

Give a Shout– Show your support and participate in a variety of activities catering to all ages that the Agapè Centre is hosting during Hunger Awareness Week.

Give It Out – Donate food, funds or your time to the Agapè Centre. Be a Hunger Hero.

“We wanted a way for anyone and everyone to feel connected to our cause and to realize that their simple actions can really change lives for those in need,” says Alyssa Blais, Executive Director of the the Agapè Centre. “We encourage everyone- students, parents, families, and the business community to join us May 6-10 and Give it Up for Hunger. Our activites range from a high school competition “So You Think You Know Hunger”, to a breakfast with a special guest speaker Dr. Charlebois, a showing of two documentaries at the Cornwall library and a spaghetti dinner dance.”Looking for more ways to get involved during Hunger Awareness Week?

Check out the Agape website – www.agapecentre.ca . Or buy a Hunger Pass from the Agapè Centre and have access to all of the events.

The Agapè Centre is Cornwall’s largest hunger relief organization, providing emergency food and access to services to children and seniors, the working poor, and scores of Cornwallites who face hunger every day.

Their stories are as diverse as the city served by the Agapè Centre: working families hit hard by the recession, women and children, seniors trying to make ends meet. The one thing they have in common is being part of a food system that desperately needs additional support.

Also see:
http://theseeker.ca/newsite/agape-centre-to-participate-in-national-hunger-awareness-week/2792/