Members of the Smiths Falls For All Committee will put forth a motion asking town council to declare food insecurity an emergency.
It’s an issue the South East Public Health Unit says impacts 15.5% of households across Lanark, Leeds & Grenville and it’s significantly felt in Smiths Falls.
Committee Member Diana Cave says long-term solutions are needed to address the issue which largely impacts low-income households.
Data from the health unit shows 46% of single mother households experience food insecurity and over 32% of single father households.
Additionally, nearly 59% of households relying on social assistance are food insecure as well as 53% of households that rely on employment income.
Commitee Chair Shawn Pankow said there’s short-term options available, but they’re not always attainable.
The committee will put together a draft for approval at their March meeting where it’ll then move onto town council’s agenda for consideration.
Story by Grant Deme
