Food Banks Mississauga says food insecurity is reaching 'historic highs' in the city, with one in 13 residents accessing its services. (Submitted by Food Banks Mississauga)
He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 NRSVue
I have been trying to recall when I have been hungry in my life because I couldn't afford food. During my first year of university in Guelph I would go without eating some meals so I could scratch together enough money for a train ticket to visit my girlfriend Ruth in Kingston. We've been together for 50 years now so I'm going to say it was worth it.
When I was a "free man in Paris" at age 19 I would sometimes walk until I was faint, only then seeking out a cheap meal. Since those early days I've never had to worry about being able to buy enough food for myself or my family. Even in the years when Ruth was clipping coupons as a smart grocery shopper there was more than enough to eat for the five of us, as well as various dog and cats along the way. We have been blessed.
The latest report from Feed Ontario, a network of more than 1,200 food banks and hunger-relief organizations, said Tuesday that just over a million people visited a food bank in the province between April 2023 and March 2024.This isn't a million visits but a million different people who accessed these services, a dismaying record number.
Along with this, 50 percent of these agencies report concerns that they don't have the resources to respond to the soaring need. A prosperous society shouldn't force people to rely on food handouts at all -- everybody knows this. This provincial government is cold-hearted when it comes to the poor. But what would happen if food banks and meal programs just ceased to exist?
I have mentioned that four of the congregations I served as a minister through the years ran food banks or served meals. The congregation we attend now, Trenton United, has a regular meal ministry and Ruth volunteers weekly at the Bridge St UC meal ministry that offers lunch seven days a week. A lot of the volunteers are seniors who have the time to do so and the conviction, often based on their Christian faith. I always wanted us to call them meal ministries, not programs, and created prayer schedules which included guests and workers.
Jesus fed the hungry and told others to do so, even after his death and resurrection. What will happen when these compassionate people aren't around to give their time or when the church buildings they support financially are closed, as is happening so often?
Have you been blessed with food security? Jesus said, feed my million sheep.
2 comments:
Yes, I've been blessed too, although there was a brief period in my twenties that the company I worked for went bankrupt and I had to scramble to try to pay the rent. I ended up getting my real estate licence in Toronto, and that was one year of frustration, long hours, feeling overwhelmed.....and few sales. I think I'd calculated my hourly wage to be about 8 cents.
I was disheartened that the Conservatives won the byelection in my riding. I don't think they care much about the poor, and I'm convinced they couldn't care less about our health care or those with mental health issues. Don't even get me started on the environment.
I guess a lot of voters are thrilled about the end of paying annually for our licence plate renewals, and Ford gives a thumbs down on the carbon tax. Do those voters not realize the government will get the money elsewhere from the taxpayers? Just seems really shortsighted.
I share your discouragement. Roger, as a resident of the same riding. We cast our ballots to no avail. Counting our blessings is being put to the test but I don't want to succumb to despair.
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