Vital Signs Article #2

Seeing children go hungry is 'heartbreaking'
Published Monday August 18th, 2008
Appeared on Page A1

By SHAWN BERRY

Editor's note: This is the second in a weekly series that will focus on the Fredericton Community Foundation's first Vital Signs report. The examination of quality of life in Fredericton will pinpoint areas where community efforts should be focused.

George Piers has seen his share of parents walk into the Fredericton Community Kitchen with their children in tow. It's a sight that breaks his heart. "I have real mixed emotions on it. I hate to see small children here," Piers said. "Still, I'm glad we're here for them." It's a sign of the way poverty hits children in the community.

According to figures released by Statistics Canada earlier this year, almost one in five Canadian children live in the poorest homes. Child poverty is one of 11 key indicators the Fredericton Community Foundation is looking at as it prepares to release the community's first Vital Signs report.

On the north side, Dan Weston sits at the back of the Fredericton Anti-Poverty Organization store on Gibson Street as customers mill through the store looking at used refrigerators, washing machines and furniture. He leafs through the store's 'Giveaway Book.' It's a list of items the store gives away to people who can't afford to pay. Inside are requests for car seats, cribs and children's beds. "We give tonnes of stuff away to people in need. Most of those people have kids," he said.

A variety of factors are conspiring to make circumstances more difficult for the ever-growing ranks of poor and working poor, he said. "A lot of families are struggling. Rents are so high that once they've paid them, they're lucky if they have enough money for food for a week or two." He blames it on the growth of globalization and governments deciding not to offer more support to help people out of poverty.

The simple truth, Weston said, is that people don't have the money to make ends meet. "They don't have disposable income. All of it goes to paying off bills." And it's the kids who suffer. "Many kids are so malnourished that they can't pay attention in class," he said. Hotdogs, hamburgers, macaroni and packaged prepared foods are on the menu for each meal they can afford. Most of the people in need that Weston knows can't afford fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Can you imagine being poor and walking into the (supermarket) and seeing things from far and wide and there's no way you can afford them?"

Elizabeth Crawford Thurber sees the evidence of that. "I see a lot of sickness. I see a lot of anxiety among parents who just can't provide," said the executive director of the Fredericton Food Bank. "I see people coming in multiple times for things like milk and bread," she said. "People are surviving; they're not living."

Cindy Sheppard, executive director of the Fredericton Community Foundation, said the anecdotal information she's hearing points to challenges many parents are facing. Many are turning to community services, she said. "The thinking is, if I can save $100 a month by going to the food bank, that's going to leave me with more money for other necessities."

Sheppard's organization is trying to get a clearer sense of the situation so it knows what areas need to be prioritized for funding. "Fredericton is a beautiful city. It's a white-collar, government community and sometimes people don't see what's right in front of them." "We hope people who may not be aware will become aware because of this," she said.