The importance of connection

The poverty challenge has come to a close and I would like to begin my final post by thanking everyone who followed our blogs, asked questions, provided comments, and offered me rides, snacks and kindness. I know that I have a very strong network of loving and caring individuals around me and that if ever I ran into trouble I'd have people there to support me.

There are so many amazing individuals, groups, taskforces and organizations working to address the causes of poverty, support those living in poverty, and decrease social barriers to health in our communities. If you are able, I recommend offering up your time and/or resources. I know I will; this challenge has been eye-opening.

A couple more notes...

• Getting around is tough but it doesn't have to be. We need active communities that support physically active lifestyles and include community spaces for people to be active (at no or low cost) such as parks, recreation centres, sidewalks/walking paths, bike lanes, open spaces, trails, waterfronts. And we need public transportation options that are affordable, reliable and link people to community spaces like recreation centres, sports fields, grocery stores, and parks. Additionally, this would help to better connect people living on a low income to other services like the library, employment services, meal programs, etc.

• Cost of eating - I love that food can bring people together - community dinners, family meals, neighbourhood potlucks, food festivals. I saw the same thing happening during the challenge with people coming together to offer and enjoy meals. However, when planning a menu and shopping on a low budget, I didn't feel the same joy I normally do around food. It was stressful, I had to cut out my normal go-to items (healthy and unhealthy 😀 ) and significantly cut down on the variety of foods I bought. It would be exhausting to have to think about food like this day in and day out, especially if you were feeding a family. Check out my previous blog about the need for increased social assistance so that everyone has access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate foods. 

NOTE: Lentil pasta sauce, you and I are going to need to take a break for a while, 4 days was a bit too much... 

• The working poor - According to Living Wage Canada, 70% of Canadians living in poverty are working poor. This means that they are in the workforce (they may even be working multiple jobs!) but are still not able to make ends meet. If you have not already, find out more about basic income guarantee, which will be piloted in Ontario, and the benefits it can offer individuals, families and whole communities.

I'd like to end with a beautiful video from Brene Brown about the power of empathy. The poverty challenge offered us a slight glimpse into what life in poverty could feel like. But, like all of us have mentioned in our blogs, we realize that we have the luxury of returning to our 'normal' lives after just 5 days. This experience has offered a valuable lesson in empathy, letting go of judgement and trying to see the world through the perspective of others.

Be kind, give generously, and be grateful for all that you have. 

                                     'Empathy fuels connection... it's feeling WITH people.'

The Cost of Eating in Northwestern Ontario

Each year, the Northwestern Health Unit does a survey of grocery stores in the region to determine the cost of eating well in Northwestern Ontario. We share these results with the community, other services providers and local politicians in order to raise awareness and push for increased social assistance and policies that support individuals to live in dignity. No one should ever need to choose between food or rent. Access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food is a right.

Sharing an email circulated by one of my amazing co-workers:

The struggle to put healthy food on the table is a reality for many people and families in northwestern Ontario. Each year the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) surveys grocery stores in our region to determine the cost of healthy food.  According to the 2016 Nutritious Food Basket results the cost per month to feed a family of four is $1018.20. This is an increase of 11.1% since 2010.

As the cost of living increases, incomes are not keeping pace. There is a misconception that the (increasing) cost of food is the reason why families/people can’t afford healthy foods.  The real issue is that minimum wage and social assistance rates are not keeping pace with the increasing food (and everything else like rent, hydro, gas, etc.) costs. Since 2010, minimum wage has increased only 9.8%.

Check out the health unit website for more info. 

 Infographic from Northwestern Health Unit website.

Want to learn more? Check out the links below.

•  CommunityFood Programs listing for each community (available on our website)
• Food Choices when Money is Tight fact sheets (download from Eat Right Ontario)
• Position Statement on Responses to Food Insecurity - The Position Statement discusses the growing problem of household food insecurity in Ontario and the urgent need to advocate for income responses to effectively address food insecurity
• Income-Related Policy Recommendations to Address Food Insecurity - The document provides a detailed analysis of three policy areas (basic income guarantee, adequate social assistance, and reducing precarious employment) that address the root cause of food insecurity. This document accompanies the Position statement on the Responses to Food Insecurity and the Food Insecurity Infographic.
• OSNHPP Infographic: