Poverty rates, single parent incomes, food bank usage indicate a growing gap between rich and poor.

$34,160 – median, Penticton, after tax income in single parent families just below provincial average.

Food bank visits per capita in 2014: Summerland 20, Osoyoos 93, Oliver 17, Keremeos 10, Penticton 2.2

Citizen input: “Food Banks were designed to help on a short term basis – now they are part of the fabric of the area providing essentials. Living wage laws are needed.”

Three things you can do: Offer a food hamper to a person in need, lobby government for a living wage, handout mittens, socks, blankets to the homeless in the cold months.

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B+ Health and Wellness

54% in the region report being obese or overweight on the increase
35% suffer from depression in Penticton
13% of Oliver/Osoyoos residents report being diabetic
16% report being smokers down in this region but growing provincially

Citizen input: ” Mental Health in children grossly underserved ”

Three things you can do: Up to an hour of activity out of the home each day
Feeling depressed – seek help from a friend or doctor
Tackle the issue of obesity or smoking with a plan – trying is the key to success

Tomorrow Safety, Arts, Culture