Shedding light on the connection between hunger and mental health

Did you know that hunger doesn’t only affect the body but also the mind? At Sai Dham Food Bank, we believe in addressing not only the physical needs of individuals but also their mental well-being. In this blog, we uncover the profound impact that hunger can have on mental health and how we strive to make a difference.

The Unseen Consequences of Hunger on Mental Health

When we think of hunger, we often envision a growling stomach and physical weakness. However, the effects extend far beyond mere physical discomfort. Hunger can silently erode mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and a host of other psychological challenges.

The Devastating Effects of Hunger on Mental Health

● Increased Stress Levels:

Hunger triggers stress responses in the body, releasing cortisol, the stress hormone. Chronic hunger can lead to heightened levels of stress, resulting in anxiety disorders and mood swings.

● Impaired Cognitive Function:

Inadequate nutrition affects brain development and cognitive function. Hunger can impair memory, attention, and decision-making abilities, hindering academic or professional success and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

● Emotional Distress:

Imagine the emotional toll of going to bed on an empty stomach night after night. Hunger can cause feelings of hopelessness, despair, and low self-esteem, leading to depression and even suicidal thoughts.

● Social Isolation:

The shame and stigma associated with hunger often isolate individuals, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and alienation. Social interactions and relationships suffer, intensifying the mental health impact.

Sai Dham Food Bank’s Approach to Nourishing Body and Mind

At Sai Dham Food Bank, we recognize that addressing hunger is not just about providing meals. We aim to break the cycle of food insecurity and improve mental well-being.

Breaking the Stigma, Restoring Hope

By offering a safe and welcoming environment, we create a space where individuals can seek help without shame. Our volunteers and staff understand the importance of empathy and compassion in combating the mental health consequences of hunger.

Providing Nutritious Meals for Nourishing Minds

We prioritize nutritious food options, focusing on essential vitamins and minerals that support brain health. Our meals are carefully prepared to meet both physical and mental health needs, fostering overall well-being.

Sai Dham Food Bank & Mental Wellness

Hunger’s impact on mental health is a hidden crisis that demands attention. At Sai Dham Food Bank, we are committed to raising awareness and combating this issue. By addressing both physical and mental well-being, we strive to empower individuals, restore hope, and nourish not only their bodies but also their minds.

Based on the same thought process, we’ve established our Wellness for Seniors program, covering their well-being and maintaining a routine of their fitness sessions. We support the elderly to regulate their health and aid them to add quality to their lives through the path of wellness. If you, too, want to be a part of our initiative and help a senior today, you can either volunteer to donate your time or donate funds to keep us going.

Together, let’s break the cycle of hunger and ensure a brighter, healthier future for all.

Food insecurity affects millions of people worldwide, including those in our local communities. In Canada, 1 in 7 individuals experience food insecurity, which means they do not have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs.

Food banks are a critical resource for those experiencing food insecurity, providing individuals and families with access to food when they need it most. Supporting your local food bank is an excellent way to give back to your community and help those in need. Here are some facts and stats to illustrate why supporting your local food bank is essential:

• In Canada, over 1.1 million individuals access food banks every month. 35.2% of those individuals are children under 18.
• Over 50% of Canadian households that use food banks have at least one adult working full-time.
• In Toronto alone, over 1 in 8 households experience food insecurity.
• According to a survey conducted by Food Banks Canada, 70% of food banks in Canada reported an increase in demand for their services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Food banks rely heavily on donations from individuals and businesses in their communities to operate. In 2020, Food Banks Canada reported a 20% decline in food donations and a 30% decline in financial donations due to the pandemic.

By supporting your local food bank, you can help combat food insecurity and support your community. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Donate food: Check your local food bank’s website to see what items they are in need of, and drop off non-perishable food items at their location.
• Donate funds: Financial donations are critical for food banks to purchase fresh produce, meat, and other perishable items. Consider making a one-time or recurring donation to your local food bank.
• Volunteer: Many food banks rely on volunteers to sort and distribute food donations. Contact your local food bank to see if they are in need of volunteers.
• Spread the word: Raise awareness about food insecurity in your community by sharing information about your local food bank on social media or hosting a food drive.

Food insecurity is a prevalent issue affecting many individuals and families in our local communities. Supporting your local food bank is an excellent way to make a difference and help those in need. By donating food, funds, or your time, you can make a positive impact on your community and combat food insecurity. Furthering this cause and combating this concern, Sai Dham Food Bank is working to bring down the number of starved individuals and make a difference.

You can be a part of the team and show your support through one-time, weekly or monthly donations alongside other ways including volunteering hours. Sai Dham Food Bank is an initiative of Sai Dham Canada and provides a receipt for all the donations received. To explore more, click here.

The Huge Problem of Food Waste!

Although world hunger is one of the top global issues, food waste is rising! According to recent studies, more than half of all food produced in Canada is discarded into landfills. About 35.5 million tonnes of food is landfilled in Canada. Over 60% of the food wasted in Canada is preventable in all sectors of the food industry and yet the problem persists. Adding to the irony, hunger in our communities is growing, as food insecurity is on the rise with 1 in 8 Canadian households being insecure. At the core, food loss/waste occurs throughout the entire supply chain; the most evident reasons being the Food Grading System, Inaccurate Forecasting, and Conservative Best Before Dates.

Food Grading System

A food grading system is often implemented to ensure that food that is being produced meets quality and cosmetic standards. Although this ideal is prevalent in the food industry, it has detrimental consequences in the long run. In addition to not being sold to manufacturers, difficult-to-market produce (still tasty and healthy) can also be discarded for its size, shape, or color because it is not deemed “perfect”. This is due to the idea that fresh produce should be perfect. In Canada, about 13% of fruits and vegetables go unharvested or discarded due to the food grading system.

Inaccurate Forecasting

Inaccurate forecasting occurs when production companies or manufacturers produce considerably more than they are capable of selling. This is because businesses frequently overestimate their needs and manufacture more product out of concern of not having enough to fulfil customer demand. Inaccurate forecasting results in a surplus of food that are still perfectly edible, to be discarded in our landfills.

Conservative Best Before Dates

Conservative best before dates contribute significantly to food waste. Products are frequently discarded due to best-before dates, which are used by firms to safeguard their brand and regulate consumer perceptions of the product’s quality. Furthermore, food waste happens due to a misunderstanding of shelf life, as seen by confused “sell by”, “use by”, “best before” and “expiration” date labels.

Food Insecurity Growing in Canada

Recently, more and more Canadians have been suffering with rising food prices, as prices for staples such as pasta, bread, and meat have all skyrocketed. According to a Food Banks Canada poll, hunger and food insecurity are on the rise throughout the nation, with lower-income Canadians being impacted the hardest by inflation. Furthermore, according to a Mainstreet Research poll, around 25% of Canadians reported eating less than they should because they didn’t have enough money for food.

How Do We Prevent This?

Food loss and food waste can be addressed in a number of ways. Many of them focus on preventing food loss at all stages of production and manufacturing. Others include customers’ acceptance of less than perfect looking produce and foods. At Sai Dham Food Bank, we want to
bridge the gap between wasted food and hungry families. Our goal is to encourage companies involved in each stage of food production to donate and redistribute their edible food waste to our food bank in order to help us feed our communities instead of our landfills!

Help us prevent food waste and feed someone

If you or someone you know can help us to reduce our food waste in landfills and instead help us feed our communities, please contact us at info@saidhamfoodbank.com or call us at 437–988-4422.

Everyone is talking about rising prices and inflation lately. What is inflation? Inflation means that there is an increase in the prices of products while wages/income remains the same. This means each Canadian has less to spend every month compared to the previous period. Statistics Canada reported that Canadians paid about 10% more for food in April 2022 than last year, while average hourly wages rose only 3.3% year-over-year. The increase in price for staple foods forced Canadians to adopt stressful and complicated strategies just in order to put food on the table. We at Sai Dham Food Bank experience this trend firsthand, as the demand for food banks has risen since last year, and the profile of people who access food banks has also changed!

According to Statistics Canada data, meat products have seen the largest price increase, they are 10% more expensive in a span of just 6 months! Many are turning to the cheapest options they can afford. Families are also selling and getting rid of what they consider “luxury items” so they can afford a meal for their families. A recent study found more than 66% of Canadians reported that rising grocery prices have resulted in a direct impact on their finances, and 1 in 3 Canadians say it is leading to depression, stress, and mental health challenges. Nearly 40% of our fellow Canadians report feeling hopeless and helpless about their future.

These are shocking statistics indeed. The inflation challenge is even more pressing for families who have dietary restrictions. Those suffering from any medical condition like diabetes have to be even more careful about what they are including in their diet. If they switch away from protein sources, they may suffer adverse health effects and this would be seriously detrimental in the long term- both for the individual and for society as a whole, and will also put pressure on our healthcare systems down the line.

Inflation seems to be here to stay for the immediate future. In a recent survey conducted, nearly 40% of participants stated they were purchasing products close to the expiry date as they are cheaper. This has also impacted the donations that would come to food banks from food retailers, as food that is close to the expiry date is now being sold to willing customers instead of being offered up to food banks.

The internet offers many tips to families and seniors for being more frugal and stretching the dollar, but for many, they are already fully stretched and at breaking point. Sai Dham Food Bank and other food banks are there for you. If you are a senior or someone with mobility challenges, please get in touch with us, we are here to help! We serve in over 26 cities across GTHA and beyond. We pioneered the home delivery of free groceries for those who are unable to get to food banks. Call us at 437–988–4422 or email us at info@saidhamfoodbank.com or visit our website.

Sai Dham Food Bank is a part of Sai Dham Canada — an Institution of love. We are a non-profit, charitable organization, focused on providing food to those who require assistance in a respectful, supportive, and effective way. The brother-sister pair of Vishal Khanna and Subhra Mukherjee founded the Sai Dham Food Bank in 2012 in a basement with their own savings. After immigrating from India, they settled in Mississauga and were shocked to read a newspaper article about seniors and those with disabilities living below the poverty line in the Peel Region. Subhra even sold off her jewelry to be able to provide meals to seniors in the community.

In an article by Broadview, Subhra Mukherjee says “When we started delivering to people’s homes, we could actually see the conditions they were living in. We saw seniors with nothing. Empty fridges, cockroaches running around, and no one to take care of them.” She further says, “We were so shocked and appalled that this could be happening in a first world country, and, at the number of seniors and people living with disabilities who were unable to access food banks due to mobility issues. That’s when we decided to do something about it.” as reported in The Record. She outlines the origin of Sai Dham in an article from Reader’s Digest, where she states, “ We never thought about a food bank; we just wanted to provide a service to humanity.”

Sai Dham Food Bank is the pioneer of home deliveries of food hampers after discovering that seniors could not easily get to food banks. Despite the fact that there are many food banks nearby, seniors are unable to use them if there is no easy way to get there owing to their mobility issues or bring back heavy bags of food.

Another unique feature of Sai Dham Food Bank is that each food hamper is customized according to the individual’s medical records, cultural background, and preferences, thereby reducing food waste and serving food that people can actually use.

Currently, Sai Dham Food Bank impacts about 25,000+ individuals in the community each month through our diverse programs. The pioneering home delivery of customized hampers reaches 1600 seniors and disabled at their doorstep. The Homeless program serves over 1200 warm meals every weekend in different cities. The Children’s Breakfast program delivers over 5000 nutritious breakfasts and monthly food hampers across 4 schools in the Peel region. Over 1400 food hampers have already been distributed to international students facing food insecurity. Sai Dham Food Bank is one of the only food banks that is open 7 days a week and lines open 24 hours, and knows no boundaries, as it operates across 26 cities in the GTA and beyond. 

Sai Dham Food Bank’s mission is to foster a hunger-free, stress-free, socially connected, and supportive community in which every individual’s well-being is a collective responsibility.

As Mother Teresa beautifully says, “Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” We encourage you to join our cause to donate- even a small sum helps- to help feed the ones in need! Feel free to visit our website www.saidhamfoodbank.com and be a part of this cause.