The Pencil Inc.: To Be Hungry Or Not to Be- That is the Question.

One out of nine people on Earth do not have access to a sufficient amount of food to live a healthy lifestyle. That's more than 10% of the world population. Canadians are privileged, to say the least. A majority of us have food to eat and a place to call home. The key point is that not all of us Canadians have food to eat and a place to call home.

5,253

Estimated number of homeless people sleeping outdoors and in emergency shelters, Violence Against Women shelters, and in health and correctional facilities in Toronto alone on the night of April 17, 2013

1 out of 10

Number of Torontonians that can't afford food to live a healthy lifestyle

True	Fact that households with children experience a higher rate of food insecurity than ones without

I am a member of Scouts Canada, a youth organization aimed to promote growth and learning outside the means of educational institutions or facilities. The facts that we found about hunger in Toronto, surprised us, and scared us. We wanted to do something about it.

In November last year, my troop did a Street Patrol event. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've had. I felt like a front runner in giving back to my community. We packed cooler bags filled with sandwiches, stuffed our backpacks with hats and socks, and took transit downtown. We then passed these important items to those in need.

This experience opened my eyes to another side of our beautiful city. And this post is me trying to raise a little awareness. This issue is important and there is something we can do about it. This issue is local and is something that effects our community. This issue is real and we need to take it seriously. The motto of my Scouts section is Challenge. So how can you challenge yourself to make a difference?


Additional news articles and intersting links covering this topic:
Toronto Star: Hunger in Toronto is a tale of two cities

Huffington Post: Why Food Charity Won't Stop Canada's Hunger Problem

Global News: Going Hungry_Almost one in 10 Torontonians can't afford healthy food

CTV News: Local Scouts taks strides towards ending hunger

Sources:
http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=f59ed4b4920c0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=c0aeab2cedfb0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-624-x/2015001/article/14138-eng.htm