Man denied food for his 4-year-old daughter at Food Bank

The line at the food bank on Friday was the longest I have seen yet, with an unprecedented 2-hour wait, outside. Despite the balmy temperatures in Vancouver, you get cold after a few hours. I felt badly for the many mothers with their children in tow. I also see many of the same people at the food bank as I do at the centre for people with disabilities, so what does that say about how our culture treats the helpless?

I passed the time chatting with the man behind me in the line. He recently moved to Vancouver from Montreal, and like myself, is facing his first financial crisis as a result of having a great deal of difficulty finding work in Vancouver. He is appalled at the high cost of rent in our not-so-fair city, recently proclaimed the most expensive city to live in, IN THE WORLD. He's shocked by the shortage of work, and remarked, "This is a new experience for me." I can relate completely. Unemployment rates aren't any higher in BC than the rest of Canada, so why does is just feel so much tougher here?

He was telling me about his 4-year-old daughter, who wasn't with him that day, thankfully, since the wait was so long. He had left her with a sitter while he went to the food bank. I would have done the same. Who would drag a tot along unless you had to, right? She's better off warm and waiting at home. WRONG.

Although his child was registered at the food bank, AND he presented all of her ID, he was denied the right to claim food for two people, instead he was only given the single person portion, the same as I receive. (See below). I can barely feed myself on food bank supplies, how is he going to manage to feed his daughter?

Readers, you know what a huge supporter I am of the food bank, I'm always praising them for what they do, but the scene that unfolded before my eyes was a heart breaker. According to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society website page on How to Access Food @ https://www.foodbank.bc.ca/main/?receivingFood, it says,

"There are no requirements to access one of the depots except that all recipients must bring a piece of ID for themselves and any immediate family members for whom they are picking up food."

It doesn't say your child must be physically present or that you have to bring your kids to qualify. The man looked scared. It was like the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, but for real. I almost gave him my own food, but then my survival instinct kicked in, and I didn't. I regret that now. I should have given him mine, despite the fact that it's all I have to live on. Even though I'm now on EI, I have just enough to cover my rent and bills for my RA medications. Plus, I forgot to mention this in earlier posts, I have to take (doctor's orders) three kinds of specific vitamin supplements to counteract the side effects of the medications. They cost a bundle too.

Here's what I received for one week of food. Imagine trying to feed yourself and your child on this:

1 can of tuna
1 large package of egg noodles
6 eggs
2 cans of pop
5 apples
1 package of pre-washed, ready-to-eat spinach
1 box of couscous
6 large carrots
1 box of cinnamon oatmeal granola snacks
3 potatoes
1 can of fruit cocktail

That's all. That's it. Of course he got upset, maybe even used the f-word, I was out of earshot. But I did hear one of the nice lady volunteers say, "I don't have to put up with that kind of language." Sure. Uh-huh. But can you blame him? How can the food bank people deny his child food like that? I'd like to see that lady's reaction if she was in his shoes. She probably goes home afterward to her big house and her full fridge and pantry, feeling good about herself that she volunteers to help the needy.

What do you think? I'd love to hear some opinions on this topic.

One rotten apple spoils the whole blog.

Ok, readers, tell me what YOU think.

I received an angry email today disguised as a compliment. So now, sadly, I have removed my email address from my blog as a result. It's a pity, but some people ruin it for everybody. You can still post your comments though, so read on:

The email I received said, "Why in the world would you waste your time being a PR & Marketing Communications Specialist. Public relations and marketing -- selling stuff -- is such a waste of your natural abilities. If this offends you, it is not at all my intention - but if it does, so be it. It is meant as a high compliment, though. I simply get frustrated seeing good people with the gift of reaching out and touching and helping others waste their capacities in some useless bullshit job instead."

The email went on to list a few worthy Vancouver outreach and charitable organizations, which being from Vancouver ALSO, I am quite aware of (and might even have worked for). Wink. They added, "... and surely there are many other such organizations in the Vancouver area. Go there. Knock on their doors. Literally. That is your proper place - far more than is marketing for some superfluous product or other."

Wow. I have just been told my "proper place" and how to conduct my own job search, by someone who clearly doesn't understand the scope of PR and Marketing. It has been assumed that I am not approaching non-profit organizations. Who said I was a product marketer? Not I! Was I offended? Yes indeed. Here's what I wrote back in response:

"I appreciate your passion, but whoa! Causes, charities and benevolent, non-profit societies and organizations hire full-time PR & Marketing Specialists. Today's 24H Vancouver newspaper is running a full page ad for The Salvation Army, informing locals about their presence in Haiti since 1950, and asking people to give all they can to help. Know who wrote that? Their PR & Marketing Specialist. You made some MAJOR assumptions about my career and marketing focus, without even knowing the facts.

Besides approaching non-profit organizations, and thanks for your suggestions, I'm also writing a novel - which is my dream and true passion. I suppose that's not altruistic enough for you either. Sheesh. Here I am, trying to promote resources for low income families in my spare time, and that was your "highest compliment?" You should know that words can be very powerful. Use them cautiously and responsibly."

C'mon, this is who your anger is directed at: I'm unemployed right now. I'm broke to the point that I made this month's rent payment by the skin of my teeth (and now next month's rent is looking "iffy"). RA makes my hands hurt like they've been assaulted by battering rams. I can't walk for more than 20 minutes because my feet are permanently damaged from arthritis. I'm getting fat from the prednisone (steroids) and/or the hydroxyquine the doctor prescribed (believe me, it's not from calories, I'm eating like a mouse on food bank donations). My hair is falling out in handfuls from the methotrexate (the third one of my RA medications), which also gives me severe migraines (so bad, I had to be hospitalized) every Monday when I take my weekly dose. I'm blogging about being terrified given all of the above, plus trying to be of service to the community and provide listings of free food and resources for other broke locals, while urging people to donate to the food bank. I'm tweeting out my support of poverty charities, homelessness solutions and related causes every day. My blog subject matter is so soft and fuzzy, it's not even remotely conducive to heated debate and opposing opinions ...

... and some guy picks on me because I had my "career" listed on my profile as PR & Marketing Communications. And one last thing: the "career choices" stem from a limited drop down menu, so it's not even ACCURATE. For the love of GOD!

Opinions?

ADDENDUM: Tuesday night at 10:15 PM: I just received a really nice email from the person who wrote the original email to me, and perspective has been clarified. Ideas have been shared and all misunderstanding is now understanding. I'm going to keep the original post though, because my feelings were/are my feelings, and I don't discard them or discount myself when they shift.

Making friends and connections along the bumpy way.

The line at the food bank was LONGER this week than last week. Still no bread today, so we'll have to postpone "Toastfest" at my place, but ... I'm thrilled with the eggs, macaroni & cheese, all-bran bars, apples, tuna, a jar of pears and a bottle of Perrier, among other items that I gratefully received from the Food Bank this afternoon. Well done you sweet volunteers and donors. You save lives with these groceries. Really, you do!

Shout out to James at Quest Food Exchange, a Vancouver grocery store for low income families offering food at discount prices and a shopping experience with dignity. See resources for link. He also volunteers at the food bank. What a great guy! Thanks for the handshake and chat, James. You're providing a much needed service to the good, hungry folks of this city. Spread the word. I'll tweet it out for ya.

Had a *luxurious* cup of coffee afterward with a new friend, "R." Hi "R!" It was the first coffee I've had in 3 weeks - liquid heaven, a "splurge." (spending $3.49 is decadent for me these days). Hmmm ... coffee, no wonder I'm still blogging at 1:31 AM. Note to self: easy on the fancy-schmancy coffees. Stick to the occasional cup of decaf or $2 latte in a pinch. Green tea is what I drink instead these days. All those terrific antioxidants. I gotta sleep now gang, I finally pooped myself out.