Area churches that feed the needy say the problem has reached crisis proportions and the problem has become overwhelming.
North Bay is brimming with heroes! We are proud of the athletes, authors, actors, and musicians who have achieved significant accomplishments over the years. Our city is also full of people who give of themselves to help others in a variety of capacities.
Those who work out of our downtown churches to feed the hungry find themselves in a crisis—and they need our help.
To sift the complex problem of local hunger into something manageable, I went to the experts: volunteers, church workers, and a gentleman who was a drug addict, who spent time in jail and lived on the streets. He cleaned up his life and now spends his days giving back.
Common themes emerged. Lisa Blais, Outreach Minister at Trinity United Church, notes that church members have had to make their own cuts due to rising living expenses.
“There is an 80 per cent increase in the use of our food/infant food banks since the pandemic," says Blais. "Some community supports have disappeared…the Gathering Place serves only one meal a day now. I wonder if the public is aware that churches rely 100 per cent on donations. We work very hard in our fundraising efforts, and people continue to give what they can, but this is not sustainable.”
Blais has a pulse on the community through bi-annual meetings with the “Food Network,” which includes social services, downtown churches, and the Salvation Army. She says that everyone is experiencing overwhelming problems.
“People love the churches and what they are doing at the food banks…they are so appreciative. If it wasn’t for the churches, they would not survive. I hear it on the street,” explains the former addict.
From his perspective, the core problem is two-fold. The lack of affordable housing is pushing people to live on the streets.
“Once you get people into a home, then you can help them with everything else.”
There is also a lack of support for those with mental health challenges. According to Blais, who ministers to people every day, “People don’t understand addiction. It could be any one of us.”
The impact of the closure of our psychiatric hospital was mentioned several times.
Frustration with politics runs rampant.
One volunteer sums it up: “Everyone passes the buck. Someone needs to stand up and take responsibility. Integrity is earned when words and actions align. Our politicians, from Mr. Trudeau to Mr. Chirico, and everyone between need to understand that what we observe, does not always align with what we are told.”
