Poverty reduction plan will help single parents in key areas, says association

A group helping singleparents in Newfoundland and Labrador says the provincial government's poverty reduction plan is off to a good start, as demand for their services skyrockets and new faces come through the door.

Danielle Seward, executive director of the Single ParentAssociation of Newfoundland and Labrador,welcomes the plan. She says theplan's proposed300 per centincrease to child benefit payments will help single parents and families of all sizes.

"What we're seeing is just the change in poverty,not just being what it was even as early as 12 months ago. It's evolving, and more people are coming into that poverty line than ever before," Seward saidFriday.

"We are seeing people come into our organizationthat have never had to ask for help before, at an alarming rate. Our food bank, we see the immediate impact. We have individuals that come in and book a food hamper appointment that six months ago were completely self-sufficient and on their feet."

Seward said she was also excited to see announcements like expansions to the school lunch program, as items for lunches are always the top demand at their food bank.

The association fed 900 children per month last year, she said, and that number is expected to be higher this year. Weekly food bank appointments are full, she added, with a growing wait-list.

But Seward said demand is also increasing dramatically for support over the holidays. Over 600 families have applied for the association's Christmas Magic program, which ensures children have gifts for Christmas. With so many people feeling the squeeze of the cost of living, she says, donations are down.

"To hear that donations may be down by 40 per cent as a charitable industry this year is concerning when our demand is doubling. So we have a lot of work to do."

While she the plan has made some steps forward, she said, she'd also like to see more attention to employment and skills training to help people come out of poverty and become self-sufficient.

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