As the jobless number in London remains high the support system in the community, from schools to the food bank, are feeling the impact.
Jason Sulivan went back to school at Fanshawe College after being laid off from Ford, thinking furthering his education was the answer to unemployment.
“I felt being in a manufacturing environment, that I did not get any skills from them that other people would want,” he says.
And he’s not the only one. Tom Pickard, manager of Workforce Development, says Fanshawe has many programs appropriate for people in a similar situation.
“The average age of a post-secondary student right now is probably in the range of 28 years or even older. It’s no longer just for 19-20 years old.”
Sulivan hopes the federal budget will bring more money for London and job creation.
That’s a sentiment echoed by Glen Pearson, co-director of the London Food Bank.
“There's more money going around this country than ever before in Canada's history. How does that happen? How do we have so much money up here and underneath here it's not connected? There's a real problem.”
Spring Drive for London Food bank kicks off
Pearson made the statement as the London Food Bank announced its 2013 Spring Food Drive will kick off Friday morning.
He says the London Food Bank faced their busiest month ever in January. And as the 26th annual drive kicks off, organizers hope this drive is as successful as last year’s.
“We ask Londoners to help us again. Make that beginning. Let’s make a difference in people’s lives and give them the food that they need,” Pearson says.
Items such as canned fish, meat or stew, peanut butter and jam, canned vegetables, rice, pasta and more top the list of most needed items.
For a full list you can visit the London Food Bank website.
Non-perishable food donations can be made a most London grocery stores, all London fire stations and directly to the Food Bank at 926 Leathorne Street.
The drive runs from March 22nd to April 1st.
