Voices on Broadway

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for,

forgotten by everyone,

I think that is a much greater hunger,

a much greater poverty

than the person who has nothing to eat.

- Mother Teresa

A publication of West Broadway Community Ministry at Crossways in Common

102-222 Furby St. Winnipeg, MB, R3C 2A7 Phone: 204-774- 2773

Email: wbcmoffice@gmail.com

What money means to people living in poverty…

“Money helps us to get food in the house. If I had more

money, I’d buy a lot more food.”

- Lyle

“If I ever won the lottery,

I’d want to use it to

help others.”

- Rob

“We need money to do a lot of

things. If I had more

money, I’d like to take a day trip somewhere.”

- Laura

“[Money means] paying bills and buying food. If I

had more money, I’d want to spend it on outings with

my kids.” - Leanne

In this issue of Voices on Broadway the main topic is money. Just think of all the cultural messages we receive about mon-ey. Money makes the world go ‘round. A penny saved is a penny earned. Another day, another dollar. These are common sayings that many of us grew up with. We are also bombarded daily through media with messages about money. The more you buy the more you save! Secure your future with an investment here! Don’t forget to buy your lotto ticket! We are taught by our culture that our value as human beings is connected to the money we earn or the amount of stuff we own. . The Bible talks a lot about money too. Did you know that there are more than 2,000 verses on money but only 500 verses on prayer, and fewer than 500 verses on faith? Money is the main subject of over half the parables that Jesus told. It is a big and important topic. Two passages stand out for me: For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (1Tim 6:10) …give me neither poverty nor riches: feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9) When I read these passages together, I think about a hotel in Las Vegas that occasionally spends money to fly in huge chunks of ice from icebergs in the north to float in their pool. And I think of regular people in our drop-in who would like the money just to send their kids to camp. Just a little bit of extra cash to be able to take the bus to visit your mother on your birthday. Loving money and needing money to survive are two different things. Wanting money to enjoy some of the small pleasures in life and wasting money on grossly out of this world purchases (like flying ice bergs around) are two different things. Our society’s addiction to profit and economic growth at any cost (love of money) has led to gross inequity, not just here in the inner city, but on a global scale. May those who have enough be moved to contribute to building a better world by paying taxes and by donating generously in an effort to re-distribute wealth and provide for those who are most vulnerable. May those who do not have enough know that they are children of God, just as worthy as the richest person on earth. May they hold their heads high and know that this is not the way that God envisions our world. Lynda Trono Community Minister

On my way out of McDonald’s last month, I happened to

look down and saw 2 fresh twenty dollar bills lying on the

ground. I picked them up and looked at the closest per-

son sitting there. He was Aboriginal. “Are these yours?” I

asked. “Nope. Not mine,” he answered, “Let me just

check with my friend. He left just a minute ago.” He

made a quick call on his phone and then shook his head.

“No, he didn’t lose any money. You should keep it.” I was

almost in tears because I needed that money so badly.

There are honest people everywhere of every colour too!

- Grant Graham

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday, June 9

- Windsor Park UC serving lunch

Thursday, June 16

- Westworth Park UC serving lunch

Friday, July 1 -Friday, July 8

- CLOSED

Thursday, July 14

- Windsor Park UC serving lunch

Wednesday, August 10

- Bird’s Hill Picnic

Pillar candles

Canned tuna or salmon (in water)

Canned chicken or turkey

Canned fruit and vegetables

Canned stew, chili, brown beans

Peanut Butter

Jam

Pasta (family and individual sizes)

Rice (brown, converted, or parboiled)

Canned spaghetti sauce or tomatoes

Canned soup (lentil, pea, vegetable)

Kraft Dinner

Baby food (jars of chicken, beef, fruit, and

vegetables)

Infant cereal (oatmeal, barley, or rice)

1) Make a financial donation. We depend on the

generosity of others to be able to run these programs

that are vital to the community we serve.

2) Donate your time. Volunteers are an essential part

of keeping West Broadway Community Ministry and

its many programs and services running smoothly.

We could not open our doors each and every day

without their support and assistance. Become part of

a dynamic team of compassionate people!

3) Gather your friends, family and coworkers to host

a food drive. Each day, people come to our drop-in to

request emergency food. We will gratefully accept

donations of non-perishable food items.

4) Prepare and serve a meal at West Broadway

Community Ministry.

5) Please hold the people of West Broadway in your

prayers. We also ask that you pray for

compassionate political leadership that will take

action on behalf of society’s most vulnerable people.

6) Community Action. We work closely with Make

Poverty History Manitoba to try to bring about change

that will benefit people living in poverty. Please check

their website for the latest action you might join in.

makepovertyhistorymb.com

How to Survive (or not) on Disability Allowance Did you know that a single adult on social assistance gets only $3.96 per day for food? It boggles my mind to think that

anyone would be expected to survive on that. “Fortunately” for me I have a disability – Crohn’s disease – so I am allowed

$6.59 per day. That works out to $46.13 per week but it is still not enough for a nutritious diet. I have often gone for a few

days without eating because I have no food.

If I am feeling healthy enough, I spend time and energy seeking out different sources of food. The community soup

kitchens - Agape Table and West Broadway Community Ministry - are reliable food sources during the week and as

healthy as they can be, depending on what is available from Winnipeg Harvest. For the most part, the food is high in

starch and fills you up for a short time but is not so healthy. Another community resource I access is the Good Food Club.

This is a healthy, organic food security program that has probably done more to sustain my health than any other

program. Memberships are as low as $5 per year and I can get a good bag of groceries every week for $8. If I earn sweat

equity points I can get the same bag for $2.

It’s a lot of work to maintain a healthy diet on only $46.13 per week. Even with the soup kitchen and the Good Food Club I

have to spend more than that. “Fortunately” for me I live in Manitoba Housing which means I only have to pay $285 per

month for rent. Many of my friends pay between $400 and $500. I don’t know how they do it. After rent and food I have

about $300 left for clothing, toiletries, cable, internet and phone and medication that is not covered. I am just barely

managing.

Todd Donohue

Mentor/Advocate

For more information, visit westbroadwaycm.org

"Walk a Mile in My Shoes" will take place Saturday, October 1st and is an educational event as well as a fundraiser. It has been said that to understand someone, you must walk a mile in their shoes. This event is designed to give participants a snapshot of what it's like to live in poverty, particularly with some of the issues individuals and families face to make ends meet.

Participants will undertake a one mile route highlighting specific sites, from crowded rooming

houses to luxury condos, experiencing the diversity of West Broadway including the barriers of

poverty. We are encouraging participants to gather their colleagues, fellow students, fellow

faith-community members, and family to form a team to participate. Forming a team will allow you

to celebrate the day with friends and family and create a community of people committed to ending

poverty that you can continue to learn with.

Roxann is a single mom who has had her share of tough times, but all she wants is for her kids to have the life they deserve. She has two sons: Adam (6) and Kolin (12). She currently has custody of Adam. Roxann has used various programs and resources throughout her life. She has been coming to West Broadway Community Ministry for close to 10 years and is currently a volunteer. While Roxann and her son have a roof over their heads, the challenges don’t end there. Roxann

shares "I have an invisible illness that I work through every day of my life. I try to do the best I can

for my kids no matter how many road blocks are put in my way." She wants to find employment. "I've

gone to Red River and have my first year of Civil Engineering." She was not able to find a placement

to continue her studies and childcare is also a barrier. “I volunteer here to try to get more experience

and it’s flexible around my son’s school schedule."

She wants her kids to be happy and have good memories. "With the money from assistance, it's not possible to send my kids to camp." Roxann receives support from her parents at times. “Everything I do is always motivated by my kids. I don’t want them to miss out on wanting things. Adam wants to go to McDonald's every couple of days, but I have to say no because I don't have money for that. My money only goes so far. There are limits to what I can spend." Dealing with the welfare system can be frustrating and confusing. "I've had to learn the ins and outs of the system to help my family. If I won the lottery, I'd buy rental property because then there'd be more places that are affordable for people to live in." Still, through all the stress, Roxann stays positive. "My greatest hope is that I'll be able to leave our

kids where they are proud to be." She says her family and friends really keep her going, as well as

the people at West Broadway Community Ministry. "Family means people who have been there for

me and support me. Family is more than just a blood connection."

“I try to do the best I can for my kids no matter how many road blocks are put in my way."

You can make a difference by donating to West Broadway Community Ministry.

Donation amount: $20 $50 $100 Other: ___________

Cheque (payable to West Broadway Community Ministry)

Name: ____________________________________________ Phone: ____________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________________

Postal Code: ___________________ Email: _________________________________________

Please mail this form to West Broadway Community Ministry 102-222 Furby St. Winnipeg, MB R3C 2A7

Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.

• Our drop-in is open four days each week and serves on average 160 meals daily. • We have a wonderful Kitchen Manager, Zyta, who plans and prepares two hot meals and two cold meals each week. • In 2015, we served over 23,000 meals. • We have an emergency food pantry where groceries may be given out upon request to help struggling individuals and families. • Last year, 1815 emergency food kits were distributed to 2210 adults and 1386 children.

SUPPORTING WBCM

YEAR-ROUND! Monthly giving is a convenient way

to support West Broadway

Community Ministry year-round!

This can help us to

secure our future and

plan ahead with

more assurance.

You can help us by

registering with PAR

(Pre-Authorized

Remittance) through the

United Church of Canada to

donate a given amount each

month from your bank account.

For a PAR form, please email us at

wbcmoffice@gmail.com or

call 204-774-2773.

If you would like to receive this newsletter via email, please send an email to

wbcmoffice@gmail.com