Watch the Community Forum

April 26, 2013 by Food Basket Challenge | 0 comments

The Food Basket Challenge week wrapped on Sept. 12th, 2012 at a Community Forum where participants and community members came together to discuss poverty, hope and opportunity. You can view all the videos from the Community Forum on our Youtube channel by clicking here.

The Community Forum was made possible by a generous financial contribution from the United Way of Saskatoon and Area.

September 21, 2012
by Food Basket Challenge
0 comments

The Food Basket Challenge was brought to you by….

The Food Basket Challenge is a collaborative effort supported by multiple organizations and individuals. Lead partners are the Saskatoon Health Region and the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Center. Support agencies include the Lighthouse Supported Living, Canadian Diabetes Association, Family Service Saskatoon, Saskatoon Anti-Poverty Coalition, University of Saskatchewan Student Union, Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership, Child Hunger and Education Program, Saskatoon Community Clinic, Community Living Association Saskatoon Inc, and the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority.

Finacial support for the Community Forum was provided by United Way of Saskatoon & Area.  Thank-you to Curtis Anderson (Host, Shaw TV) for hosting the Community Forum.

 

September 20, 2012
by Food Basket Challenge
1 Comment

Food Basket Challenge week ends. So, what next?

Food Basket Challenge participants have reached the end of their Challenge to live for one week on a food bank basket. The participants demonstrated enormous courage, sincerity and humour throughout the Challenge and the Food Basket Challenge would not have been a success if it was not for their unreserved participation.

As the Challenge concludes we are left asking “What’s next?”. Tell us what actions you will take to help build a healthier community for all.

September 19, 2012
by Bishop Donald Bolen
0 comments

we have a name for this….

Well, we’re near the end of the Food Basket Challenge.  It has been an interesting week.  When I went on the scale this morning, I learnt I’d lost 6 lbs. over the course of the week.  The food provided by the food bank was good, and I was grateful for it.  Continue Reading →

September 19, 2012
by Faith-Rowland
0 comments

Friendship Inn from the Other Side of the Fence

Today I went to the Friendship Inn for lunch.  I was so excited to have a meal that was different from what I have been living on for the last 3 days since my fresh food was all used up.  I am no stranger to the Friendship Inn; however, I usually see it from the other side as I drop off supplies to the kitchen.  Like many agencies, the Canadian Diabetes Association passes on our over-supply to various meal programs throughout the city.  Our Corporate Partners are always reassured that no donated item goes to waste. Continue Reading →

September 19, 2012
by High Hopes
16 Comments

I hope this offends you.

This is High Hopes last blog post, and I just want to say, especially referring to the person, who left a nice comment on our last post saying we were homophobic, I hope this offends you.

We were asked to do this challenge by the food bank to raise awareness among our fans, primarily youth, and for our honesty regarding well… everything. Yes, we are blunt about this topic, no, we’re not sorry that we offended anyone or will, when asked about our experience. The truth is, the topic of poverty isn’t pretty. We are not running for an election, so we don’t need to use fancy words to bulls*%t you. Here’s the truth; you should feel uncomfortable that families live off of mouldy hot dog buns, it should make you sick to your stomach that Continue Reading →

September 19, 2012
by Pat Cook
2 Comments

Good Job to all Challenge Participants and the Food Bank!

Well the last day of the challenge has come and I want to take this time to congratulate my fellow challengers. It’s only through the efforts of individuls like all of you that we will generate good discussion and hopefully make positive change for people in our community. I look forward to seeing everyone this evening and I’m thankful for the support I received from my husband, my staff and friends and family. Your understanding of the challenge and the importance this held for me is much appreciated.  So with that I will sign off. Have a great day!

September 19, 2012
by Lisa Dutton
0 comments

My Boy

I sit here in a fog on the last day. Trying to think of what it is I want to say to wrap this all up. My head hurts today, and I can’t wait for it to be over. I am also feeling extra emotional these days. I sense that emotion in a couple of the other people taking part in this as well. For sure I have gained a new understanding of what some people in our community are up against.. and a new appreciation for what I have. Tonight I am taking my son Jesse to the wrap up dinner. This whole challenge, the thought of him has really consumed me. I just keep thinking “how can somebody feed their kids off this?”

September 19, 2012
by Deborah Bryson-Sarauer
1 Comment

Getting older, not so gracefully.

For the last few days I have been thinking about poverty and the elderly.  So many of our services are places you have to go to, which might be difficult for the elderly, people with a disability, or people who are not able to get out and about as easily as others.  I said in a previous response to a comment that I do not have a car.  The reason I don’t drive is that I have macular degeneration.  Not a big deal in my daily life except that I did have to relearn how to read and stopped driving for the most part, I have a restricted licence with many restrictions. That makes me incredibly dependent on the generosity of others.  After more than 22 years of living with restricted vision it is still hard for me to ask for help.  Pride…can be a good thing but if it is taken away from us that is not so great. Continue Reading →

September 19, 2012
by Dave Chartier
0 comments

Last day

Thank you Laurie,Deb and Allison for asking me to do the challenge. Hard to say I’ve enjoyed it but I’ve certainly have enjoyed the learning process associated with it. I read Toby’s blog today and can only say “Ditto” to it.

September 19, 2012
by Faith-Rowland
0 comments

I Woke up Feeling Light Today

I woke up feeling so much better and more positive today.  Like Jared, I had a little more to eat last night and my potato soup was really not too bad. I also woke up this morning to the smell of coffee brewing.  I have company and I am not alone.  I also realize that some of my light heartedness is because I am looking forward to TWO good meals today.  Deborah and I are heading to the Friendship Inn at noon and then we will all gather at the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market tonight to share our experiences and a meal together. Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012
by Heather Morrison
2 Comments

Day Six: Breaking Bread

Today Jared Brown, Kevin Stanfield, and I went to the Friendship Inn for lunch. I was really hoping for some extra nutrition to kick my headache. We received a hotdog with a white hamburger bun, two corn tortilla chips, two sour cream and onion chips, a bowl of borscht with hotdog chopped into it, and a pastry. Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012
by Renee Kohlman
3 Comments

In Gratitude

Day 6 was a killer.  Had the last crepe with the last of the strawberry sauce for breakfast.  Snacked on my coffee cake a little later.  In my morning fog, I forgot my potato cake and sausage at home, so no lunch.  Work was crazy busy – I churned out hot appetizers for 500.  Yes, 500 people and made a lovely prime rib dinner for 55.  Knowing I had to have my wits about me, and not let my work suffer, I ate a bowl of soup for lunch.  It was good, but I felt so guilty afterwards.  And while I’m happy to be finished the challenge tomorrow, there is also lots of guilt too.  I get to have a lovely meal tomorrow night and the nights after, but a regular food bank client doesn’t have that luxury.  Isn’t it sad that eating well and healthy is a luxury? Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012
by Faith-Rowland
0 comments

Is it Only Tuesday?

I thought about writing last night but I really didn’t have the energy or heart to do it.  It took all of my will to not crawl into bed and sleep instead of even making supper.  I had a meeting last night…yes, a catered supper meeting.  I skipped the supper/social part of the meeting and just got there in time for the actual meeting.  Once again, social isolation strikes!  I was so anxious to get out of there and have something to eat.  We didn’t adjourn until 7:30 and by that time I was sick with hunger and shaking.  I was a little teary on the way home as I thought about eating yet another meal that I knew would be hard on my body. Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012
by Bill and Susan Brooks
1 Comment

Day 6 – A few random thoughts

Just like to thank all those people and fellow participants who have helped us through the past week.  As we move into the last 24 hours we can all see the food and drinks at the end of the tunnel.  It has been quite a week for us with revelations, experiences, thoughts and questions.    We believe we will come away understanding one aspect of poverty a little bit better. Continue Reading →

September 18, 2012
by Pat Cook
0 comments

See the end in sight!

I didn’t sleep well last night I kept waking up so my headache is much worse today. Asking everyone to please bear with me for another day. I remind myself that this is one week out of my life and something I will definately learn from. There are many people a lot less fortunate out in our community and I can’t imagine having to deal with hunger and feelings of helplessness over the lack choices in their lives on a regular basis. Continue Reading →