Update:  Nov 25/19  Akittiq advised that requests for Emergency Food has gone back to more normal levels. Thank you all for helping the Food Bank team service the community during the most challenging time! Good stuff. Please continue to support this important program … Food Bank distributes every 2 weeks depending on support. Food hampers are provided to those that find themselves in no-food situations if there are food resources to service the need. Thank you all again! You rock!

IGLOOLIK FOOD BANK Struggles Amid Recent Surge of Emergency Food Aid Requests

On the evening of November 12th, Igloolik’s Food Bank Manager, Akittiq Angtiqjuaq set out to meet her team of volunteers to assemble a few Emergency Food Hampers. It was not Food Bank distribution day, but the Food Bank team was responding to a few emergency food requests. As they worked to organize the bags of groceries, Akittiq’s phone began blowing up! The local radio was buzzing with people asking for food help. As word got out that the Food Bank team was on site, a long line began to form of people hoping to receive emergency food. Before the evening was over, the food bank team provided 108 grocery bags of emergency food to 108 homes!  WOW !!!

So what changed? Why the sudden surge of people in need of food help? 

Ransomware

Earlier this month, the Government of Nunavut experienced a crippling ransomware attack on its main computer network. Many aspects of the government came to an abrupt halt, including the issuance of social assistance cheques. Roughly 14,000 people in Nunavut rely on social assistance, also known as income support.

According to PROOF, being on social assistance, anywhere in Canada poses an extremely high risk to food insecurity. In Nunavut, 83.3% of households receiving social assistance, reported being food insecure! (Source: PROOF 2013/14). Nunavut food insecurity rates are staggering. We expect the loss of income support cheques will only add to the critical food need in the territory.

Income Assistance Food Vouchers implemented across Nunavut

In the absence of social assistance cheques, the Gov of Nunavut has implemented a territory-wide food voucher program. it is our understanding, income assistance recipients can request a portion of their cheque total, to be redeemed in food vouchers. Although these food vouchers are meant to be a safety-net food aid program, the recent surge in the number of emergency food aid request has crippled the Igloolik Food Bank.

Donations Needed

Akittiq and the entire team of Food Bank volunteers, would appreciate any donations to the Food Bank. Your hard earned dollars will help them purchase supplies needed to continue regular food bank distribution, as well as respond to emergency no-food situations in the community.  Thank you very much !