{"id":82536,"date":"2024-04-30T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-04-30T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/?p=82536"},"modified":"2026-05-05T18:19:53","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T18:19:53","slug":"basic-needs-brighter-futures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bgccan.com\/en\/basic-needs-brighter-futures\/","title":{"rendered":"BGC Clubs provide kids with basic needs so they can have brighter futures"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Owen Charters<\/a>, President & CEO, BGC Canada<\/p>\n

April 30, 2024<\/p>\n

I noticed the massive line of cars trailing out of the Club\u2019s driveway and onto the street\u2014stretching through intersections for blocks\u2014filled with families depending on the Club for food essentials.<\/em><\/h4>\n

For 125 years, BGC Clubs have served on the frontlines\u2014providing necessities to young people in communities across the country\u2014including mental health and food literacy programs.<\/p>\n

Back in the fall of 2020 \u2013 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\u2019s driveway and onto the street\u2014stretching through intersections for blocks\u2014filled with families depending on the Club for food essentials.<\/p>\n

I share this because today, the need for food hasn\u2019t changed; in fact \u2013 it\u2019s grown. In the fall of 2023, BGC Eastview (less than 20km from BGC East Scarborough) spoke to CityNews in response to a study<\/a> on food insecurity’s impact on young people’s mental health.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no mental wellness without making sure your tummy is full.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Laurette Jack, Program Coordinator at BGC Eastview<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These are only two examples of BGC Clubs addressing these issues. Our Clubs have been\u2014and continue to be\u2014at 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\u202ffood-insecure\u202fhouseholds1<\/sup>, and 1.2 million are affected by mental health2<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> tells that the Club experience allows young people to envision a brighter future for themselves.<\/p>\n

We need to continue these conversations for those kids and those who have yet to find our doors. Basic needs, brighter futures.<\/p>\n

1 \u00a0<\/sup>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.<\/a>
\n2 \u00a0<\/sup>https:\/\/ymhc.ngo\/blogs\/ymhc-blog\/youth-mental-health-reality-the-difference-we-can-make<\/a><\/p>\n

Positive relationships. Life-changing programs. Meaningful impact.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Donate today<\/a> to power positive impact for children and youth across Canada. Opportunity changes everything.<\/p>\n

Read more:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n