With food insecurity and hunger at an all-time high, The Local Collective’s new “Starve the Hunger” campaign for Food Banks Canada puts the issue top-of-mind for Canadians
Canadians are looking forward to their first “proper” Thanksgiving in three years. But for more than 5.8 million people living in a food insecure household, Monday, Oct. 10 will be just another day without enough to eat.
Food insecurity is currently a growing problem in Canada, with the combination of rising food and housing costs pushing many families to the breaking point. According to Food Banks Canada, 1 in 8 Canadians currently face food insecurity, and the need for greater access to food cuts across all segments of society.
A lack of food not only starves people of their physical and mental health, but also deprives them of social opportunities and a sense of belonging, said Food Banks Canada’s Chief Executive Officer Kristin Beardsley, who calls it a national crisis.
“Food insecurity is at an epidemic level in this country,” adds Caroline Newton, Food Banks Canada’s Chief Communications Officer. “Things weren’t great before COVID, and the effects of the pandemic, coupled with inflation and the rising cost of living, means we simply cannot tolerate the situation any longer.”
To raise awareness of this critical issue at a time when food and full bellies are very much top-of-mind for Canadians, the national organization has launched the provocative “Starve the Hunger” campaign created by Toronto agency The Local Collective.
The integrated campaign, which includes TV, OLV, cinema and out-of-home, is anchored by a striking two-minute video spot depicting hunger as a voracious caterpillar eating away at the very fabric of society.
It opens on a young girl sitting in a room and drawing in a notebook, when she notices a ragged hole in its pages left by a hungry caterpillar. “There’s this thing,” says the accompanying voiceover. “It seems small at first, like something you don’t really notice. Something we don’t really need to worry about. But it grows. And soon it’s impossible to ignore.” As the two-minute spot continues, we see the caterpillar devouring the city and growing larger, eventually turning into a Godzilla-sized caterpillar atop a skyscraper.
While many Canadians are committed to ending food security, they also believe they’ve helped by dropping off a can at a food drive or donated to organizations like Food Banks Canada, the need for system change has never been more acute says The Local Collective’s founder and Chief Creative Officer, Matt Litzinger.
“We needed a platform capable of engaging Canadians on an emotional level,” he said. “’Starve the Hunger’ is designed to cause not only a reaction, but involvement. Telling this story in an emotional way allows Food Banks Canada to have a different conversation with Canadians.”
About Food Banks Canada
In collaboration with a supportive food bank network that spans coast-to-coast-to-coast, Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow. As a national charitable organization, Food Banks Canada is dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity by supporting a network of Provincial Association; affiliate food banks and food agencies that work at the community level to relieve hunger. Our work is focused on maximizing collective impact, strengthening local capacity, and reducing the demand for food banks until a day when they are no longer needed. Join with us @FoodBanksCanada
About The Local Collective
The Local Collective (TLC) is a creative brand and advertising agency that uses locally based insights to create cultural influence. Based out of Toronto, TLC believes in the power of local culture and the impact it can have. Through works of art, capsule collections and collaborative campaigns The Local Collective seeks to develop and create true cultural impact.
thelocalcollective.com
@thelocaleverything
Credits
Campaign Title: Starve The Hunger
Client: Food Banks Canada
Agency: The Local Collective
Chief Creative Officer: Matt Litzinger
President: Kaitlin Doherty
Chief Strategy Officer: Alison Savage
Client Service Director: Amanda McMillan
Creative Director, Head of Design: Omar Morson
Copywriters: Chris Booth, Matt Litzinger
Art Directors: Joel Arbez, Matt Litzinger
Production Company: Scouts Honour
Director: Mark Zibert
Executive Producers: Rita Popielak, Simon Dragland
Directors of Photography: Mark Zibert, Eric Kaskens
Editorial: Nimeopere
Editor: Graham Chisholm
Asst Editor: Griffin Stobbs
Colour: Alter Ego
Artist: Wade Odlum
VFX: Tantrum
Artist: Dominik Bochenski
Producer: Margarita Reynes
Executive Producer: Victoria Holt
Audio: Rajakovic Electric
Composer: Mark Rajakovic
Executive Producer: Nicole Rajakovic
Print/OOH Production Credits:
Production House: Fuze Reps
Principal: Daniela Favot
CGI artist: Pierre Bourjo
Media Agency: M&K Media
PR Agency: SP Public Relations
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