Keep a Child Warm
Cold Canadian winters create additional challenges for children living in poverty. Many families struggle to afford proper winter clothing while also managing rising housing and food costs.
Key Statistics on Child Poverty in Canada
Based on recent data from Statistics Canada and child welfare organizations:
Total Affected Population: Approximately 1.4 million children in Canada live in poverty, representing nearly 1 in 5 Canadian children.
Seasonal Hardship: Winter months create additional financial strain on low-income families, with heating costs increasing household expenses by an average of 33% during winter months.
Regional Impact: Northern communities face the most severe challenges, with winter clothing needs costing families with growing children an estimated $500-800 per child annually.
Most Vulnerable Groups
Child poverty disproportionately affects:
Indigenous Children: 41% of First Nations children live in poverty Recent Immigrant Children: 35% face economic hardship Children in Single-Parent Households: 32% live below the poverty line Children in Rural and Remote Communities: Often face both higher costs and limited access to support services
Winter Clothing Insecurity
Many families face difficult choices between:
Heating vs. Eating: 38% of low-income families report having to choose between adequate food and heating their homes Hand-Me-Downs vs. New Items: 72% of children in poverty rely primarily on hand-me-downs, which may not always provide adequate warmth Growth Challenges: Children typically outgrow winter clothing before items wear out, creating annual financial pressure on families
Health Impacts
Inadequate winter protection has significant consequences:
Increased Illness: Children without proper winter clothing experience 3x higher rates of winter respiratory illnesses School Attendance: 29% of teachers report students missing school during extreme cold due to inadequate winter clothing Mental Health: Social isolation increases during winter months for children who can’t participate in outdoor activities
How Your Purchase Helps
Doing business with Ashers means partnering with a company committed to community responsibility. Through our Keep a Child Warm initiative, we focus on raising awareness around the need for essential winter clothing for children in vulnerable situations. While Ashers fulfills its role as an organization, we also encourage collaboration with local community partners to help identify and support families in need. Our commitment is to support efforts that help ensure children remain warm, healthy, and able to participate fully in school and community activities throughout the winter months.