A panel discussion on Saskatoon’s housing needs was the first event in the city’s poverty awareness week. Twelve per cent of Saskatonians were living in poverty in 2013, compared to nearly 15 per cent of all Canadians, according to a recent report by the Saskatoon Community Foundation.
It goes beyond not having enough food to eat.
“You throw high rent into the mix and you have people who are going without food because they have to try and make their rent payment,” said Vanessa Charles, co-chair of the Saskatoon Anti-Poverty Coalition.
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Presentations, a public worship and a documentary-viewing are also part of poverty awareness week, leading up to Saturday’s hands across the bridge gathering.
People will meet at Friendship Park at the foot of the Broadway Bridge to create a human chain at 2 p.m. local time.
The United Nations recognizes Saturday, Oct. 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
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