Regina is one of several cities across Canada this week that are holding events to highlight the need for a national anti-poverty strategy.
During the noon hour on Thursday, supporters were handing out bags containing an apple and a postcard addressed to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
The campaign is called “Chew on this”.
Bob Ivanochko of the Making Peace Vigil says he hopes to raise public awareness and put more pressure on the federal government to implement an anti-poverty strategy.
He says people don’t realize the extent of poverty in Canada.
“They are probably aware that there is a problem but they certainly don’t know how serious it is and how difficult it is for people,” he says.
Nationally about 900,000 people rely on food banks every month.
In Regina, about 27,000 people or more than 13 per cent of the city’s population lives in poverty.
Ivanochko says it is a national problem and a human rights issue.
“Charity programs that have been set up are not the proper way to deal with this, we need a justice process.”
Friday is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.