United Way of the Lower Mainland launches Stop the Growl to help hungry kids

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      Even though Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, more than 850,000 of its residents rely on the help of a food bank every month. Of those, more than one-third are children or youths, according to Food Banks Canada.

      This problem hasn’t escaped the attention of one of the region’s most important registered charities, the United Way of the Lower Mainland. March is National Nutrition Month and to coincide with this, it has initiated a new campaign called Stop the Growl. The name refers to that feeling that hungry kids experience in their stomachs when they haven’t had enough to eat.

      “We’ve launched Stop the Growl to raise awareness about food insecurity and to also fundraise for food-related initiatives,” United Way spokesperson Jennifer Young told the Georgia Straight by phone.

      As part of Stop the Growl, the United Way of the Lower Mainland is publishing a series healthy, nutritious recipes that cost $15 or less and that can feed a family of four. Some are written by well-known local food writers; others have been provided by employees of organizations that partner with the United Way of the Lower Mainland, which raised $25.1 million last year.

      The website also enables donors to target their contributions, which are eligible for tax receipts. A $50 gift will provide 10 mothers with one-on-one nutrition counselling; $100 enables one family to learn how to eat well and access nutritious foods; $250 will pay for a workshop to help a family learn how to buy healthy food on a fixed budget; $500 will finance two children’s participation in a food garden; and $1,000 will cover the cost of one community-kitchen session for 10 people.

      The United Way of the Lower Mainland's website makes it very easy to donate online.

      It’s part of the United Way of the Lower Mainland’s ongoing efforts to promote food security, which have included supporting community gardens and community kitchens. Young pointed out that her organization funds 22 separate food initiatives in the region.

      According to one study cited on the Stop the Growl website, it costs $938 per month to provide a “nutritionally adequate, balanced diet for a family of four” in B.C. “We know there are a lot of families that can’t afford that,” Young said.

      Georgia Straight food writer Gail Johnson is one of those who submitted a recipe to the Stop the Growl website. She wrote that the ingredients in her yam, artichoke, and chickpea stew cost $15 and feed a family of six.

      According to Johnson, this meal is easy to prepare and it’s healthier and less expensive than a heavy beef stew.

      Gail Johnson’s recipe for Yam, Artichoke, and ChickPea Stew

      Ingredients

      2 Tbsp olive oil
      1 onion, chopped
      4 cloves garlic, minced
      1 tsp freshly grated ginger
      ½ tsp cinnamon
      ½ tsp turmeric
      Pinch salt and pepper
      2 Tbsp flour
      2 medium yams, washed, peeled, and cut into cubes
      1 19-ounce can chickpeas, drained and well-rinsed
      1 green pepper, washed and cut into one-inch pieces
      1 19-ounce can chopped tomatoes
      3 cups vegetable stock
      1 six-ounce jar artichoke hearts, drained and cut into small pieces
      1 Tbsp lemon juice
      Handful fresh parsley

      Method

      1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large, heavy saucepan.
      2. Add onion, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes or until onion is soft.
      3. Sprinkle with flour and stir for about a minute. This will help thicken the stew.
      4. Stir in yams, chickpeas, pepper, tomatoes, and veggie stock. Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until yams are tender, stirring occasionally.
      5. Add artichoke hearts and lemon juice; stir gently for another 10 minutes.
      6. Serve topped with parsley.

      Yield: six servings.

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