I agree that it is all about priorities and choice but when your priority is feeding your child you make that choice to keep them fed regardless. And a lot of the obese children you see are from the low economic families. And if the choice is having to walk to get your groceries, where would you walk to in this weather, the corner store for a package of $.50 ramen noodles or to the grocery store 10 blocks or more for a salad and fixings, all the while having to bring your child with you. Yes it is all about choice but there are many things involved in those choices that lead these families, especially the single moms where they make the unhealthy choice.
An piece taken from the Winnipeg Harvest site with regards to budget and healthy eating.
Children rely on Winnipeg Harvest because their parents waste money gambling and smoking.
Almost half of the people who are poor in Canada are single mothers. Manitoba continues to have among the worst child poverty rates in the country. Children are poor because their parents are poor. A Canadian study shows after a marriage separation, women immediately lose 23% of family income. Poor people spend a disproportionate amount of their incomes on rent and often take money from their food budget to cover shelter expenses. Parents who are poor routinely report going without food themselves to make sure their children eat. Cigarettes are an addiction and many believe smoking helps reduce depression and suppress appetites. Lottery tickets and other forms of gambling are advertised representing hope of escape.
Poor people don’t know how to budget properly.
People working full time earning minimum wage make just over $16,575 (before tax) annually. Welfare rates are similar. It costs over $7,000 annually to rent a two bedroom apartment. It takes much creativity, and sacrifice, to pay for everything else on just $5,000 annually: food, transportation, clothing, heating, phone, childcare, medications and dental care. Budgeting is not the problem. Not enough money to make ends meet is the problem, leading many to the food bank.
UPDATED November 2008 Source: Winnipeg Harvest Inc.
An piece taken from the Winnipeg Harvest site with regards to budget and healthy eating.
Almost half of the people who are poor in Canada are single mothers. Manitoba continues to have among the worst child poverty rates in the country. Children are poor because their parents are poor. A Canadian study shows after a marriage separation, women immediately lose 23% of family income. Poor people spend a disproportionate amount of their incomes on rent and often take money from their food budget to cover shelter expenses. Parents who are poor routinely report going without food themselves to make sure their children eat. Cigarettes are an addiction and many believe smoking helps reduce depression and suppress appetites. Lottery tickets and other forms of gambling are advertised representing hope of escape.
People working full time earning minimum wage make just over $16,575 (before tax) annually. Welfare rates are similar. It costs over $7,000 annually to rent a two bedroom apartment. It takes much creativity, and sacrifice, to pay for everything else on just $5,000 annually: food, transportation, clothing, heating, phone, childcare, medications and dental care. Budgeting is not the problem. Not enough money to make ends meet is the problem, leading many to the food bank.
UPDATED November 2008 Source: Winnipeg Harvest Inc.
. My dad smoked till I was about 5...then he caught me puffing on one of his butts going "I'm just like dad"...and he quit that day.
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