OTTAWA, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The number of Canadians using food banks rose by 20 percent during the past year, due to the ongoing economic downturn, according to a new survey released Friday.

    Food Banks Canada says in its report that food banks helped feed more than 1 million people in the fiscal year that ended in March, up from 704,000 a year before.

    Food Banks Canada executive director Katherine Schmidt said the increase in users are placing added strain on the resources of food banks, which were already struggling to make two ends meet.

    He reminded that June 2 is the National Hunger Awareness Day and called on people to donate more than ever.

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