Charity begins right here at home

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. we knocked on the doors of single-family homes and duplexes in NDG, Montreal West and Westmount to ask for non-perishable food items and monetary donations.

While 22,000 paper bags were distributed beforehand to households, asking them to fill them up and leave them at their doorstep, certain streets (like the one my friend and I were assigned) never received theirs, making for many panic-stricken people answering their doors. “Just give me a second to run to my pantry and see what I can find,” was the usual response we received. They would quickly return, arms overflowing with cans of soup, boxes of cereal, pasta and cookies. Many who got caught off guard with an empty pantry would quickly reach for their wallets. One woman, on her way to visit her husband in the hospital, even took the time to chase me down in her car to hand me a couple of food items she quickly gathered before leaving her house.

People invited me into their homes, as they rummaged through their kitchens for some non-perishable food to donate to those in need. Yes, I don’t look all that threatening and I had a big smile on my face (and a bright green and red scarf identifying me as a volunteer), but in this day and age who can afford to be too careful? I found it incredibly generous of people and a clear sign that small-town trust hasn’t completely been extinguished by big city fear.

Sure, we ran into the occasional ‘Grinch’, quick to slam the door on us, peep through the window without even bothering to ask why were there, or claim that they had nothing to give while answering the door of a home clearly valued at a high six-figure amount, but I didn’t let this spoil my mood.

By the end of the day we had all managed to raise 3,200 bags overflowing with food – that equals a 16 per cent response. According to NDG Food Bank director, Fiona Keats, the market average for non-profit mail-out responses is 5.5 per cent so the way local residents reacted to the drive is beyond fantastic.

While there’s no denying that food banks do little to address the underlying issues that lead to hunger, poverty and social isolation, the need for them has increased and it’s a clear reflection of the financial hardships many people are facing.

According to recent statistics provided by Keats, the percentage of people who need emergency food has increased from 10% to 17% since last year. The NDG Food Bank Emergency food basket service gives free emergency food to over 600 people per week and just over 30% of food bank users are children below the age of 14. Some people may judge and question the validity of food banks and the real need for some people to seek out aid, but, whether we want to admit it or not, there are people going hungry out there; kids going to school on an empty stomach.

These are not images meant to soften people’s hearts. This is reality for many. Maybe many of us don’t have the financial means to donate huge amounts, but who can’t donate a couple of cans of food? And if you can’t donate that, how about you donate your time? It’s that simple, really.

Sometimes we think that we have to perform these grandiose gestures in order to make a real difference and that, if we can’t afford to perform them, we can’t be bothered with more modest acts of compassion. But every little bit of kindness helps and sometimes in more ways than we even realize. “I cannot do everything but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do get in the way of what I can.” Wiser words were never spoken. As Father Pops from Dans la Rue always says “Share the wealth.” It doesn’t hurt as much as we think, people. In fact, judging by the smiles on every single volunteer’s face that Saturday, I’d have to say it feels great. Happy Holidays to one and all. <@Ri>The NDG Food Depot is located at 2121 Oxford (corner de Maisonneuve).

To donate, volunteer or become a member call (514) 483-4680 or visit www.depotndg.org (where a secure online donation also can be made)<@$p>