Stephanie Charles: THOUGHT FOR FOOD

Description

A Walk in Other’s Shoes is returning to this year’s Week of Action Against Poverty. This challenge is being undertaken by individuals in the community who have interests within the health field. Participants have been asked to attempt to stay within a social assistance benefits’ budget. A single person on Ontario Works would receive $337 monthly for all of their personal needs and $384 for all of their shelter costs. Because participants cannot replicate the housing conditions realistically, shelter costs are not included within this challenge. For the five day challenge, participants will have $11 daily to cover all food and drink, entertainment, some personal supplies and transportation costs. Each day, every participant will be given a challenge card which will reveal an unexpected challenge to be completed before the end of the day.

A Walk in Other’s Shoes is not a competitive challenge. It is a challenge that raises awareness of the hurdles that people living on social assistance face daily. As we within our community develop our own understanding, we can begin to reduce the barriers that they encounter and ultimately increase opportunities for increased prosperity for all. The challenge takes place February 10th-14th, 2018.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

THOUGHT FOR FOOD

Today I accessed food through local food programs.

My money is gone, and I owe someone -$2.34. I still have some food left but I thought that I would go on conservation mode.

For lunch I went to the Kenora Fellowship Centre for their gathering, and received more than food there. An elder said that you need to have three things in life; food, clothing and a roof over your head. This is simple. Sometimes overthinking makes this seem so hard - but its easy.

Another elder said poverty makes us who we are. Once a person is in poverty there is a mountain of things working against them. Poverty can strip away your choices, resources, health and will. It can lead you to make decisions against what you know is legal, loving and healthy. I think poverty is created by the way our society is constructed - so why can't it be un-created? I think it can be.

The main point from todays gathering was that everybody needs help at some point, and they only way to tackle the issue of poverty is to help each other and work together. I can get behind that!

For dinner I was able to help Making Kenora Home serve a delicious pulled pork dinner at the Jubilee Church. Shameless plug for food programs in Kenora here. I think being connected to your community is important and an easy way to do this is to volunteer. Instead of complaining, why not try and be part of the community solution to poverty?

So why are there so many people experiencing poverty and relying on food programs? The results from the 2017 Nutritious Food Basket indicate that there are 3900 people in Northwestern Ontario that are food insecure, 59% of these people receive their income through employment (the working poor). The food programs I attended today take care of our communities daily hunger needs (which are many!!) but really aren't able to deal with the root of the problem. Is it as simple as me not having any money? You know - to get the food, clothing and the roof over my head?

Thank you everyone who helped me out today - especially the Kenora Fellowship Centre, the Jubilee Church, and Making Kenora Home.

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About Me

I was fortunate to grow up in Kenora surrounded by such natural beauty. I love Northwestern Ontario and the variety of outdoor activities that are possible here. I especially enjoy fishing, going on boat rides, bonfires, partridge hunting, blueberry picking, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing – It seems like weekends are never long enough for all these adventures and it is hard to choose what to do sometimes! I work at the Northwestern Health Unit as a Health Promoter and believe in the work of public health. I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my fur baby Hudson.

Why do you want to undertake the Walk In Our Shoes challenge?

I think it is very important to look at the links between poverty and health. My main reason for participating in a Walk in Other’s Shoes is to experience and gain insight into some of the struggles folks in poverty face.

What do you think will be the hardest part of the five days?

Living in poverty is difficult. I think that if you are living in poverty you have to be always planning to make the most of the limited resource and personal connections you have. For example, today I was not organized and didn’t bring a lunch to work – but I do have the option of driving my car to a restaurant and picking up a meal to go. So for me I think it will be challenging to have everything planned out. As well, I will have to forego some luxuries that are not essential, but I think I can manage that ok.

Have you thought of any strategies for helping you get through it?

I hope to eat one good healthy meal per day, but expect that my other meals may not be as healthy. I also expect to be walking more places and not relying on my vehicle as much.

What do you expect to gain from your experience?

I hope to gain insight and appreciate the resiliency that folks who are experiencing poverty have. I also think my experience with remind me how lucky I am to have abundance in my life and help me advocate for the vulnerable folks I meet through my job.