At 83 years old, Susan* finds herself becoming more and more concerned about the prevalence of food insecurity in Canada.

She recalls when food banks were first introduced as a supposedly temporary measure. “I’m so puzzled by how we got here,” she reflects. “The older I get, the more difficult it feels to see families struggling,”

“I came from a family that was not well-to-do, but there was always nourishing food on the table,” Susan recalls. “I weep at the thought of the children who go to bed hungry, for the parents who can’t put that food on the table.”

Susan’s mother emphasized the importance of fruits and vegetables as she was growing up. That appreciation for the value of fresh produce has remained throughout her lifetime. “Nutrition is so vital for children’s development,” she explains.

Now retired, Susan taught high school as well as being involved in many business enterprises over the years. She’s a mother of two children and a grandmother to #. Her appreciation for her own family has grown her empathy for others.

It was this desire to support families that led Susan to volunteer where she could alongside her late husband. She was struck by witnessing the prevalence of food insecurity in many areas.

The couple also made a point of contributing to charitable causes each year, a tradition Susan has carried on following her husband’s passing. As she looked around her own community, she realised that the people struggling there were largely invisible – despite knowing there must be many in need of support.

Wanting to help on a broader scale, Susan began researching charities working to address food insecurity. It was then she discovered Food Banks Canada. She was impressed by the breadth of the Food Banks Canada network, the responsible fiscal stewardship, and the present- and future-oriented approaches to addressing food insecurity.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate in a lot of ways and one of them is that I am able to contribute to Food Banks Canada.”

Susan made her first donation four years ago and continues to give each year. She’s also made the generous decision to include Food Banks Canada as a beneficiary in her will.

“I feel very committed to this cause,” Susan shares. “I know it will take knowledgeable and dedicated people like those at Food Banks Canada to turn the tides of food insecurity.”

Her love for her grandchildren reminds her of the importance of investing today to help the next generation.

“It’s their future,” she reflects. “My own grandchildren don’t have to worry about resources, but it could just as easily be them struggling. People don’t ask for these challenges. Nobody out there wants to be hungry.”

“I always think: what if it was your child, your grandchildren who were hungry? What would you do?”

With the cost-of-living crisis, Susan recognizes that more families than ever will be in need of assistance. “The price of everything is going up. I don’t know how people will afford to feed their families.”

Wanting to make a difference today and tomorrow fuels Susan’s support of Food Banks Canada.

“Food Banks Canada is capable of addressing food insecurity, growing public awareness and finding a resolution for some of the root causes,” she explains. “As humans, we don’t want to see where we’ve failed but I think it’s important to do that. Until we address root causes, I don’t think we’ll end food insecurity. There’ll just be more and more hungry people.”

By sharing her story, Susan hopes to encourage others to join her in supporting Food Banks Canada.

“For anyone, of any age, who thinks they can spare a dime, there couldn’t be a more critical time to donate. Hunger is the cruelest thing we could wish on anyone,” she says. “Please donate to Food Banks Canada and fight back against food insecurity.”

* Name changed to preserve donor anonymity.