Over the past few weeks there has been a debate brewing between readers over the Westlock and District Food Bank, specifically about those who use its services and their respective levels of need.
We can appreciate the concern from the public and from those who donate to the food bank that they would like to see supplies going to people that truly need it. But, the type of car that someone drives isn’t an appropriate indicator of someone’s personal finances.
It’s like the old adage says: don’t judge a book by its cover.
What does poverty look like? Poverty doesn’t have one uniform appearance like some sort of stereotype would suggest. Unless you know the person well enough, or have seen their financial statements lately, it’s nearly impossible to tell who is in need and who is abusing the system.
You don’t have to look far to know that the province, and the country as a whole, is going through some tough economic times. Oil prices and the dollar are down, which isn’t good news for most businesses — layoffs are happening left, right and centre.
For instance, if someone bought a nice new car a couple years ago when the economy was better and they’ve since lost employment and weren’t wise with their money, they could be stretching their budget and need food bank help.
Since the food bank doesn’t ask for any financial information from its users, it is the onus of the user to determine if they require the food bank’s services and to abide by its rules.
The food bank is just like employment insurance, or any other social assistance program — they exist for people who are down on their luck and aren’t meant as a long-term support.
But there are abusers of the system that do see those services as a way to access money or services instead of finding a job or making it on their own merit.
Could the food bank use more stringent regulations, or better monitor who is using its services? Maybe, but that’s not the point.
The point is that people are allowed to come once a month and collect a modest portion of canned and dried goods that can be used to supplement other groceries. There are not steaks or gourmet food being handed out.
Nobody is getting rich off of it and it’s there because it is needed. Let’s not ruin a good thing because some people may be abusing others’ goodwill.
