Macaroni and cheese, corn chowder, chili, borscht. Large pots and dishes of food are placed on tables lined up in the large room.
91裸聊视频淒elicious91裸聊视频� seems to be the most common description of the free noon meal that91裸聊视频檚 being offered at First United Church in Salmon Arm. On this Wednesday, Feb. 8, about 25 people are sitting at small tables, eating and chatting.
This is part of the Food with Friends initiative begun in April 2020.
At that time, lunches began being offered outside in response to the pandemic, down the back lane from the District Education Centre on Shuswap Street, directly behind the Crossroads Free Methodist Church.
Now, things have evolved, with free lunches available five days a week for anyone who would like food or companionship.
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12 to 1 p.m., spearheaded by Chrissy Deye, tents provide shelter over chairs and tables set up for a free potluck-style meal. Wednesdays, lunch is indoors at First United.
91裸聊视频淚 don91裸聊视频檛 think enough people take advantage of it,91裸聊视频� said one older person enjoying their indoor meal.
On Friday, Feb. 10, about 45 people were at the outdoor lunch, the sunshine attracting a few more diners than usual.
Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond, who is chair of the city91裸聊视频檚 Social Issues Advisory Committee which includes about 10 member organizations, sometimes lends a hand at the First United meal. She and Erin Jackson, the city91裸聊视频檚 chief administrative officer, want people in Salmon Arm to be aware of the services offered in the city 91裸聊视频� not by the city, but by the many community organizations within the city which help fight poverty.
91裸聊视频淧overty is not a character flaw; it91裸聊视频檚 an economic condition and there are tools to overcome it. I think people who live in poverty think it91裸聊视频檚 their fault,91裸聊视频� remarked Wallace Richmond.
91裸聊视频淥r that others are judging them. We don91裸聊视频檛 want them to be living in shame,91裸聊视频� added Jackson.
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The city commissioned a social impact assessment with the goal of improving the overall quality of life and well-being of vulnerable families and citizens living in Salmon Arm. It included data from the 2016 census as well as a consultation process in 2020 and 2021.
About 13 per cent of Salmon Arm91裸聊视频檚 population was estimated to be living in poverty. In addition, 14 per cent of all seniors in Salmon Arm were in the same situation. Jackson said a low income measure used across Canada considers the low income level for a single person as $26,000 per year while it91裸聊视频檚 $54,000 for a family of four.
Although the statistics have likely changed, Wallace Richmond said two things learned from the study were: 1) people living in poverty or close to poverty in Salmon Arm weren91裸聊视频檛 always sure what services they could access or where they could access them; and 2) it verified that the people most at risk were seniors, single parent households and newcomers.
Jackson pointed out that poverty is not always obvious; a lot of people are struggling in silence.
91裸聊视频淭here are a lot of people who are going under the radar.91裸聊视频�
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The city is looking at ways to better inform citizens about the dozens of resource providers in the community, one of which will be increasing local information available on BC 211, billed as a free, confidential, multilingual service that links people to resources.
Wallace Richmond noted dozens of groups and probably hundreds of people work in social development in the Shuswap.
91裸聊视频淎s an elected official, I hear 91裸聊视频� which kind of makes me cringe if I91裸聊视频檓 honest 91裸聊视频� is 91裸聊视频榥othing is being done.91裸聊视频� It91裸聊视频檚 disrespectful to the people who spend their life91裸聊视频檚 work doing this (working in social services). And things are being done.91裸聊视频�
Emphasized Jackson: 91裸聊视频淲e want to really spotlight what is being done in the community. So much good work is being done.91裸聊视频�
Jackson said it91裸聊视频檚 clear people in Salmon Arm want to help other residents living in poverty, but they don91裸聊视频檛 always know what to do. Workshops and making information more accessible for residents are in the works.
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While the city isn91裸聊视频檛 in the social services business, it can bring up, advocate for and make informed decisions on things such as public spaces, bylaws, lighting, inclusive events and more, said Wallace Richmond. She noted everyone has a role to play.
91裸聊视频淚 have yet to meet someone who wants people to be poor and miserable.91裸聊视频�
At First United, Rev. Jenny Carter sees community lunches as not only providing people with food, but building connections between community members.
91裸聊视频淚f you91裸聊视频檙e sitting down with your neighbours, and get to know them as people, it91裸聊视频檚 very hard to say, 91裸聊视频榃ell, they just aren91裸聊视频檛 trying hard enough.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭he days that make me most happy are the days when I know it91裸聊视频檚 a lawyer coming in, sitting down and eating lunch with some of the living rough folk. That91裸聊视频檚 what it91裸聊视频檚 about, it91裸聊视频檚 about breaking down the walls between people.91裸聊视频�
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Looking for resources in Salmon Arm?
Asking for help can be hard, but a community of support is available in Salmon Arm. Below are some services available. Also, if you91裸聊视频檇 like to help, many organizations can use volunteers.
91裸聊视频� Shuswap Family Resource and Referral Society
Supports families and individuals of all ages, cultures and socio-economic backgrounds, and provides referrals for services. familyresource.bc.ca. Available Monday to Thursday, 9 to 5 p.m. Call
91裸聊视频� Shuswap Immigrant Services Society
Welcomes and supports newcomers to the community. Call
Volunteers needed! See their website for opportunities: sissociety.ca.
91裸聊视频� CMHA Shuswap-Revelstoke Service Navigation Drop-in
Got questions about mental health, substance use, housing, or something else? CMHA can help. Drop-in service navigation support is offered Mondays to Friday at CMHA Studios, 433 Hudson Ave. NE. Call
91裸聊视频� NeighbourLink Shuswap
Provides practical ways of serving anyone in hardship. Email neighbourlinkshuswap@hotmail.com or call
Volunteers needed! Do you have a skill/time/furniture or appliances you would like to contribute? Get in touch! neighbourlinkshuswap.ca
91裸聊视频� South Shuswap Rides
Provides door-to-door transportation service to seniors, people with disabilities, people who are unable to drive, and those who do not have a vehicle in the South Shuswap. Visit southshuswaprides.ca. Dispatch:
Volunteers needed! Have time during the week and interested in becoming a driver? Get in touch with South Shuswap Rides at
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Crisis and Information Lines
Sometimes people need immediate support or resources. Did you know that British Columbia provides phone lines for a range of issues? These services are free, confidential and can help you identify resources for your situation.
91裸聊视频� BC211 91裸聊视频� Free, confidential, 24/7 support finding resources in more than 150 languages. Dial 2-1-1
91裸聊视频� 8-1-1 91裸聊视频� Free provincial health information phone service 91裸聊视频� Dial 8-1-1 (7-1-1 for deaf and hard of hearing)
91裸聊视频� 310 Mental Health Support 91裸聊视频� For emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
Call
91裸聊视频� Crisis Support 91裸聊视频� 1-800-SUICIDE if you are considering suicide or are concerned someone you know may be.
91裸聊视频� Kids Help Phone 91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频� KUU-US (Indigenous Crisis Line) 91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频� SAFE Society Transition House, 24-hour crisis and information line 91裸聊视频�
This is the first in a bi-weekly series stretching over two months on poverty, its effects and the services available. It is in conjunction with a campaign by the City of Salmon Arm and its Social Impact Advisory Committee to address poverty and help ensure residents know where to find resources.
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martha.wickett@saobserver.net
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