Canada can’t solve child poverty without investing in youth organizations

Press Release

In Canada, hunger is often framed as a problem of food. At BGC Canada, we know it is a problem of income, opportunity, and access to community supports.

Across the country, families are struggling to keep up with rising costs, and for many, the monthly math simply no longer works. At BGC Clubs, we see the impact every day. Not as data points, but in real moments with young people who arrive at our Club doors hungry, find it hard to focus, and rely on Clubs for meals, stability, and a sense of belonging.

The data, however, reinforces what we are seeing firsthand. Roughly 802,000 children in Canada are living below the poverty line, and up to 1.4 million experience poverty using broader measures. Child poverty has now increased for three consecutive years, driven by costs that continue to outpace incomes.

Food insecurity tells the same story. Today, one in four children lives in a food-insecure household, where families are forced to skip meals, reduce portions, or rely on lower-cost, less nutritious options simply to get by.  Canada cannot afford to treat this as a temporary challenge.

Charity alone cannot solve structural problems

Research is clear: food insecurity is not caused by a lack of food supply. It is driven by unstable incomes, widening inequality, and gaps in social supports. Food banks and community programs play an essential role in helping families through difficult weeks. But they cannot resolve the underlying economic conditions that push families into hardship. That work requires thoughtful, coordinated public policy.

At the same time, we must recognize the essential role of community infrastructure in protecting children and youth from the worst impacts of poverty. When families face financial stress, trusted local organizations become anchors. They are where young people find consistency, mentorship, and opportunity.

For more than 125 years, BGC Canada has been part of that safety net.

A national network supporting children every day

Today, BGC Clubs operate in more than 650 communities, serving 160,000 children and youth each year in urban centres, rural communities, and Indigenous territories. During the critical hours outside of school, Clubs provide safe, supportive spaces where young people can build friendships, connect with mentors, and access programs that support their overall well-being.

Increasingly, they also provide something fundamental: reliable access to food.

Last year alone, BGC Clubs served more than 8.5 million healthy meals and snacks to children and youth across Canada. For some, that after-school meal is the most dependable source of nutrition they have. But food programs at Clubs go beyond meeting immediate needs. They are designed to build long-term resilience and skills.

• Before and After-school meal and snack programs ensure that young people have consistent access to nutritious food in a safe, welcoming environment.
• Cooking and food literacy programs teach youth how to prepare healthy meals, understand nutrition, and build lifelong skills that support independence.
• Programs like Kid Food Nation, Kid Chef Nation and community kitchens combine nutrition education with hands-on learning, helping youth develop confidence while fostering social connection.
• Family support initiatives in some Clubs extend this impact further, providing take-home food, shared meals, and resources that ease pressure on entire households.

These programs reflect a simple but powerful truth: when young people are nourished, they are better able to learn, connect, and thrive.

Prevention that strengthens communities and saves public dollars

The challenges facing children rarely occur in isolation. Food insecurity is often intertwined with mental health pressures, academic barriers, and increased exposure to risk.  Community-based youth programs address these issues together, not in silos.

Through mentorship, physical activity, leadership development, and safe, supportive environments, Clubs help young people stay engaged, connected, and on a positive path. The impact is clear and measurable. More than 90% of Club members report improved social connections, increased physical activity, and greater initiative, while 96% say they have more positive peer relationships.

These are not small gains. They are proven forms of prevention, linked to reduced involvement with the justice system and stronger long-term outcomes, including resilience, leadership skills, and the ability to set and achieve goals. This is prevention in action.

It is also smart public policy. Effective prevention reduces long-term costs associated with health care, justice involvement, and social assistance, while strengthening communities and future workforce participation. And yet, many organizations delivering these outcomes operate with short-term, project-based funding.

Youth development does not happen in one-year cycles. It is built on relationships, trust, and consistency over time.

Canada’s future prosperity depends on the well-being of its young people.

Children who grow up supported by their communities are more likely to succeed in school, participate in the workforce, and contribute meaningfully to society. We already have much of the infrastructure in place. Community organizations, local Clubs, and dedicated youth workers are doing this work every day, often with limited resources.

What is needed now is sustained investment and a shift in how we view these organizations. They are not temporary supports. They are essential infrastructure.  Government and corporate partners have a critical role to play in strengthening this system. By investing in youth-serving organizations, we are not only addressing immediate needs like food insecurity, we are building stronger, more resilient communities for the long term.

At BGC Canada, we are proud to be part of the solution, working alongside partners across sectors to ensure that every child and youth has the opportunity to thrive.

Because investing in young people is not charity. It is one of the most important nation-building decisions we can make.

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