By Owen Charters, President & CEO, BGC Canada
April 30, 2024
I noticed the massive line of cars trailing out of the Club’s driveway and onto the street—stretching through intersections for blocks—filled with families depending on the Club for food essentials.
For 125 years, BGC Clubs have served on the frontlines—providing necessities to young people in communities across the country—including mental health and food literacy programs.
Back in the fall of 2020 – as the COVID pandemic and related health measures took the greatest toll on job losses – I was driving by BGC East Scarborough on a Friday: food pick-up day. I noticed the massive line of cars trailing out of the Club’s driveway and onto the street—stretching through intersections for blocks—filled with families depending on the Club for food essentials.
I share this because today, the need for food hasn’t changed; in fact – it’s grown. In the fall of 2023, BGC Eastview (less than 20km from BGC East Scarborough) spoke to CityNews in response to a study on food insecurity’s impact on young people’s mental health.
“There is no mental wellness without making sure your tummy is full.”
– Laurette Jack, Program Coordinator at BGC Eastview
These are only two examples of BGC Clubs addressing these issues. Our Clubs have been—and continue to be—at the forefront of providing services to meet the needs of nearly 150,000 young people each year. When it comes to food security, its often a surprise for many to learn that we provide 6 million meals and snacks to kids across the country. But the need continues to rise: 1.8 million children across Canada are living in food-insecure households1, and 1.2 million are affected by mental health2.
I often describe a BGC Club by explaining the three p.m. stampede when they open their doors for after-school programming. The rising cost of living has made basic needs inaccessible to many children, youth and families. And many of them turn to BGC Clubs to provide them. Our 2023 Learning & Impact Report tells that the Club experience allows young people to envision a brighter future for themselves.
We need to continue these conversations for those kids and those who have yet to find our doors. Basic needs, brighter futures.
1 https://proof.utoronto.ca/2023/new-data-on-household-food-insecurity-in-2022/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%2018.4%25%20of%20people,a%20period%20of%20unprecedented%20inflation.
2 https://ymhc.ngo/blogs/ymhc-blog/youth-mental-health-reality-the-difference-we-can-make
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