Issue 4: Abbey - International Junior Miss Canada Teen

With the Global COVID-19 Pandemic, many families in Canada are facing the reality of Food Insecurity; unfortunately, the demand for supports for families struggling to put food on their table has left many Food Banks understocked with supplies. Growing up experiencing the impacts of Food Insecurity, this Eighteen-year-old beauty queen strives every day to make an impact for those struggling to put a meal on their table.

For majority of Abbey's life, Food Insecurity was a reality that herself and family experienced on a daily. As a means of providing for her family, Abbey's mother heavily relied on the support of local food banks, a reality for many households across Canada. Witnessing the mental and physical strain her mother endured, at the age of thirteen, Abbey began being a provider for herself and her family; from grocery trips to home maintenance, being a caretaker became one of Abbey's responsibilities. On top of this responsibility, most days Abbey and her mother were on alternate schedules for employment; resulting in the two seeing each other less often. We can only imagine the heartbreaking reality, Abbey and her mother must have been feeling during these times.

Whenever possible, Abbey aimed to support her family through providing for herself to ease the pressure for her mother; she frequently utilized her high-school's 'Breakfast Program' which provided her and many other students with non-perishables; to be able to have a sense of security that when she got home herself and her family would be able to go to bed not hungry.

After experiencing Food Insecurity majority of her life and is now thriving, Abbey has not forgotten where she came from; with every pay-cheque Abbey receives she contributes a portion of her income to provide food for her local food bank, to give back to the organizations which have helped her, and her family get to where they are today.

This May 2021, Abbey is challenging YOU to contribute to her mission 'Fill the Cart with Food'; all YOU have to do is fill up a shopping cart with non-perishable food items, to be donated to an organization in your community. Worried you won't be able to financially afford to commit to a full shopping cart? Have no fear! Even donating a few cans can truly help a family in need. As every item donated, it is one step closer to making a difference. Interested in participating in Abbey's May challenge? Go give her a follow-on Instagram (@iam_ijmcanadateen) to witness this fantastic beauty queen concur her 'REAL WHY' - Food Insecurity!