Hunger in Nova Scotia - based on data collected in March 2009:
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Approximately 20,344 individuals are assisted by food banks monthly (an increase of 20% over 2008)
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An additional 94,000 meals are served monthly at soup kitchens and meal programs
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Through food banks and meal programs combined, approximately 40,000 people are assisted each month
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34% of those assisted are children and youth (under 18 years of age); furthermore, 44% of households accessing food banks have at least one child
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7% of those assisted are seniors aged 65 + (an increase of 3% over 2008)
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Food bank use is almost evenly split between men and women
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FEED NOVA SCOTIA’s network includes 153 member agency food banks, shelters and emergency food assistance programs across the province
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35% of food banks service rural clients while 65% are in urban centres
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| Income | NS | Change since 2008 | Rural Areas of NS |
| Social Assistance | 56% | up 1% | 59% |
| Provincial disability | 10% | down 1% | 12% |
| Pension | 8% | down 1% | 1% |
| Employment | 8% | down 2% | 8% |
| EI | 6% | down 2% | 7% |
| No income | 6% | up 1% | 3% |
| Private disability | 3% | up 2% | 0.5% |
| Student loans | 2% | up almost 2% | 1% |
| Other | 2% | down almost 2% | 2% |
| Family Type | NS | Change since 2008 | Rural Areas of NS |
| Single | 42% | down 2% | 41% |
| Single parent families | 23% | down 4% | 23% |
| Two parent families | 20% | same | 21% |
| Couples without children | 15% | up 1% | 14% |
| Housing | NS | Change since 2008 | Rural Areas of NS |
| Own home | 11% | 12% | |
| Rent at market prices | 55% | 74% | |
| Rent in social housing units | 27% | 10% | |
| Band-owned housing units | 0% | 1% | |
| With family or friends | 2% | 3% | |
| Emergency shelter or street | 1% | 0.3% |
| Region | Number of individuals visiting a food bank (counting each person only once) | Number of food banks from whom data was collected | Increase in number of people visiting a food bank since 2008 (based on data from FEED NOVA SCOTIA members only) |
Valley South Western Region
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3054 | 15 (14 of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 18% |
| South Shore Region | 1134 | 9 (8 of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 18% |
| Central Region | 2875 | 10 (9 of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 36% |
| Halifax Regional Municipality | 8430 | 40 (37 of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 23% |
| Eastern Shore and Northern Nova Scotia | 2308 | 5 (all of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 8% |
| Cape Breton | 2543 | 17 (15 of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 3% |
| Total for Nova Scotia | 20344 | 96 (88 of whom are members of FEED NOVA SCOTIA) | 20% |
