5 Ways to Fight Local Poverty
Today, we'd like to offer some of our favourite strategies to combat poverty in Canada. Local poverty is a multifaceted issue with many crossing aspects. Unfortunately, poverty in Canada frequently happens as a result of a wide range of structural injustices, such as disability, age, immigration status, or racial heritage. That fact is represented in this list.
We hope this inspires you to take action right now—to love your literal neighbours! We cannot all do everything, but each of us can do something.
Give to a local food bank
Food security is not merely a global concern. Canadians are also experiencing food insecurity, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to the epidemic, an estimated 4.5 million Canadians, or almost one in ten, were food insecure. In the first two months of the epidemic, that figure increased by 39%, with one in every seven Canadians experiencing food insecurity.
Donating to a local food bank is an excellent method to combat food insecurity in your neighbourhood. Consider organizing a food drive in your community. Don't forget that food banks typically require monetary donations in order to purchase fresh food such as eggs, bread, milk, or vegetables, in addition to non-perishable food donations.
Welcome newcomers to Canada
Every year, Canada joyfully welcomes immigrants from throughout the world to call it home. Unfortunately, their perceptions of Canada as a home are not the same. According to a 2017 Statistics Canada report, the chronic low-income rate among immigrants was 3.3 times greater in 2012 than among Canadian-born adults. According to a 2016 research by Citizens for Public Justice, 34% of new immigrants and refugees are poor.
There are numerous ways to assist newcomers to Canada. If some of your neighbours are newcomers, try a COVID-safe porch visit to say hello and give any assistance with settling in. There are also numerous local groups that support newcomers to Canada, particularly refugees, in your own town or city. Do some research to find out how you may volunteer or donate.
Learn how to tackle homelessness
When we think of local poverty in Canada, one of the first concerns that comes to mind is probably homelessness. We're used to responding in a variety of ways: working at a soup kitchen, giving money to someone on the street corner, donating to a homeless shelter. These are excellent responses to homelessness! But are there things we're overlooking because we've become numb to the problem?
Consider gaining knowledge from local housing advocacy groups. Participate in local homeless shelters and organizations that are dedicated to long-term journeys with those suffering homelessness. Find an organization that helps those who are homeless transition into permanent homes and learn how you can help.
Support organizations serving vulnerable kids and youth.
Children and youth are at the heart of Compassion's global ministry because we know they are the most vulnerable to poverty. That is also true in Canada, which is why local organizations that help disadvantaged children and youth are so crucial!
Find organizations to support that are committed to serving children for the long term— understand that to transform a child's life, you must accompany them from the womb to the workforce. Consider volunteering to make a long-term difference in the life of a child or teen through mentorship, or donating monthly to a local organization to support their ongoing work with children and teenagers.
Learn about issues facing Indigenous communities
According to the Canadian Poverty Institute, Indigenous people in Canada face the greatest rates of poverty. One in every four Indigenous people in Canada is poor, and one in every ten Indigenous children in Canada is poor. Indigenous people have been structurally marginalized in Canada and around the world for many centuries, resulting in unfair situations such as poverty in Indigenous communities.
It is extremely vital for non-Indigenous Canadians to learn how to take action to overcome structural injustices that affect Indigenous communities. Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Christian Peacemaker Teams, and the Christian Reformed Church have resources to assist Christians in learning and acting.
