TORONTO, Feb. 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ontario Association of Food Banks announced today that it has changed its name to Feed Ontario .  As a network of over 1,200 direct and affiliate hunger-relief agencies, this name was chosen to better reflect the work of the organization and the evolution of food banking over the last 30 years.

“Over the last three decades, food banks have evolved from traditional food cupboards into multi-service agencies for community building and change,” says Michael Maidment, Chair, Feed Ontario Board of Directors. “The new name is a reflection of this transformation and of the collective action of our network of food banks and partners. It represents the vision that unites us, as well as the work that we do together to achieve that vision.”

Ontario’s food banks provide emergency food support and services to more than half a million adults, children, and seniors throughout the year. As revealed in the 2018 Hunger Report, food bank use has remained consistent for the last several years, but there has been a notable increase in the number of senior citizens and single-person households requiring support. In addition to emergency food support, food banks often provide a myriad of additional services, like housing help, accredited training programs, community gardens, and tax clinics, while advocating for long-term solutions to poverty.

“The name Feed Ontario was chosen because it is both a call to action and a representation of the organization’s ongoing work to provide nutritious food while creating long-term change,” says Maidment. “It is our hope that it will encourage individuals and organizations to join us as we work to feed Ontario and create a future where no one goes hungry.”

To help mark this announcement, Feed Ontario is inviting everyone across the province to learn more about their local food bank and participate in the ‘Feed Ontario for Family Day’ campaign this weekend. This campaign includes ‘Five Family-Friendly Ways to Feed Ontario’, such as learning about hunger in your community or volunteering at your local food bank with friends and family.

The ‘Feed Ontario for Family Day’ campaign will take place between February 14 th – February 18 th , 2019.

To learn more about the Ontario Association of Food Banks' change to Feed Ontario, please visit: https://feedontario.ca/we-feed-ontario

To learn more about how you can help 'Feed Ontario for Family Day', please visit: https://feedontario.ca/feed-ontario-for-family-day/

About Feed Ontario

From securing fresh and healthy food sources to driving change through policy research and innovative programming, Feed Ontario unites food banks, industry partners, and local communities in our work to end poverty and hunger. Join us as we Feed Ontario and help build a healthier province. Every $1 raised provides the equivalent of 3 meals to an Ontarian in need. Learn more at: www.feedontario.ca

For more information, please contact:

Amanda King Director of Communications & Research Feed Ontario 416-656-4100 x2932, amanda@feedontario.ca