SCOTT MOE’S BAD NEWS BUDGET CUTS SUPPORT FOR FOOD BANKS WHEN DEMAND HITS RECORD LEVELS

Moose Jaw Food Bank Forced to Cut Services To Make Up For Loss of Funding
REGINA – At a time when costs of living pressures and food bank usage are reaching record highs in Saskatchewan, Scott Moe is cutting critical funding for food banks across the province.

For the past two years, the province has provided $1 million annually to Food Banks of Saskatchewan to help offset rising food costs and growing demand. That funding will not be renewed in Moe’s bad news budget.

“This is unbelievable – at a time when Saskatchewan families are struggling more than ever to put food on the table, Scott Moe is turning his back on them,” said Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck. “Cutting support to food banks right now is not just shortsighted, it’s cruel and a direct blow to people already being stretch to their limits.”

The impact is already being felt on the frontlines. The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank announced in a public letter that, starting April 1, clients will only be allowed one visit per month instead of the two, and food hampers will also be reduced.
“While the need continues to rise, the resources required to meet that need are not keeping pace,” said Jason Moore, Moose Jaw Foodbank Executive Director, wrote in the letter.

“Monetary donations have decreased by approximately 20 per cent compared to last year, and food donations have remained largely unchanged

“Food banks were never meant to carry this level of responsibility, and we cannot continue to fill a growing gap that requires systemic solutions.”

Under Scott Moe’s leadership, food bank use has increased nearly 50 per cent. One-in-five users are employed and nearly four-in-10 are children — the highest rate in Canada. Instead of helping Saskatchewan families in last week’s budget, the Moe government has piled on more taxes, fees and has increased power and car insurance rates when people can least afford it.

“Food banks are being pushed to the breaking point while this government piles more costs onto working families,” said Britney Senger, Shadow Minister for Community-Based Organizations. “Saskatchewan people deserve a government that makes life more affordable.”

“Clearly, it’s time for change.”

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