Macaroni and cheese, corn chowder, chili, borscht. Large pots and dishes of food are placed on tables lined up in the large room.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯DeliciousΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ seems to be the most common description of the free noon meal thatΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s 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.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯I donΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯t think enough people take advantage of it,Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ 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 cityΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s Social Issues Advisory Committee which includes about 10 member organizations, sometimes lends a hand at the First United meal. She and Erin Jackson, the cityΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s chief administrative officer, want people in Salmon Arm to be aware of the services offered in the city Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ not by the city, but by the many community organizations within the city which help fight poverty.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯Poverty is not a character flaw; itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s an economic condition and there are tools to overcome it. I think people who live in poverty think itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s their fault,Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ remarked Wallace Richmond.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯Or that others are judging them. We donΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯t want them to be living in shame,Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ 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 ArmΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s 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 itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s $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 werenΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯t 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.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯There are a lot of people who are going under the radar.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
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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.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯As an elected official, I hear Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ which kind of makes me cringe if IΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯m honest Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ is Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯nothing is being done.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ ItΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s disrespectful to the people who spend their lifeΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s work doing this (working in social services). And things are being done.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
Emphasized Jackson: Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯We want to really spotlight what is being done in the community. So much good work is being done.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
Jackson said itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s clear people in Salmon Arm want to help other residents living in poverty, but they donΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯t always know what to do. Workshops and making information more accessible for residents are in the works.
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While the city isnΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯t 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.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯I have yet to meet someone who wants people to be poor and miserable.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
At First United, Rev. Jenny Carter sees community lunches as not only providing people with food, but building connections between community members.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯If youΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯re sitting down with your neighbours, and get to know them as people, itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s very hard to say, Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯Well, they just arenΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯t trying hard enough.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯The days that make me most happy are the days when I know itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s a lawyer coming in, sitting down and eating lunch with some of the living rough folk. ThatΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s what itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s about, itΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯s about breaking down the walls between people.Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’
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 youΟγ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯d like to help, many organizations can use volunteers.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ 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
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ Shuswap Immigrant Services Society
Welcomes and supports newcomers to the community. Call
Volunteers needed! See their website for opportunities: sissociety.ca.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ 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
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ 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
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ 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
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’βΆΔ’
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.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ BC211 Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ Free, confidential, 24/7 support finding resources in more than 150 languages. Dial 2-1-1
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ 8-1-1 Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ Free provincial health information phone service Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ Dial 8-1-1 (7-1-1 for deaf and hard of hearing)
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ 310 Mental Health Support Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ For emotional support, information and resources specific to mental health.
Call
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ Crisis Support Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯ 1-800-SUICIDE if you are considering suicide or are concerned someone you know may be.
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ Kids Help Phone Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ KUU-US (Indigenous Crisis Line) Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯’ SAFE Society Transition House, 24-hour crisis and information line Ογ½ΆΚΣΖ΅Φ±²₯
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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