Asking For Food On Craigslist

October 9, 2011

Like many people, once in a while, I enjoy surfing craigslist in the hunt for a gem. But for some, it’s the last place to turn to. Today, I saw this post under the ‘free’. section:

Looking for a free food. (Montreal)
Date: 2011-10-06, 11:22PM EDT
Reply to: sale-tjqxr-2636752662@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
THANKS TO ALL WHO REPLY TO MY ADD,TO ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT PLACES WERE I CAN GET FOOD BASKETS.
EVEN THOUGH I COULDN’T FIND A PLACE TODAY TO GET ANY FOOD,ME AND MY KIDS WILL BE OK.

Does anyone knows where I can get free food,like a food bank or something.In Cote des Neiges area?
Got separated about 2 month ago, was left with kids and no help…have no welfare..
don’t do drugs,don’t smoke, don’t drink…just trying to get back on my feet..
Have 20$ in my wallet and nothing in the bank..I should hang on until Oct. 20th, not much food left in my fridge..
Does anybody have any ideas?…
I called Sun Youth food available only on Monday
At multicaf only on tusday…
Need it today
thx

I responded:

Hey,

I know its not the cote de neiges area but go to Concordia, the main building (hall building at maisonneuve and bishop), go to the 7th floor at around 1 pm. They serve free vegan good quality meals every weekday and you don’t have to be a student.

I’m sorry that you are going through this. I know you need food today. If you give me an address (not necessarily yours), I can leave some food for you if you absolutely need it.

—-

You see, a lot of people think that giving back to the community means volunteering or giving money at some registered charity place. But these places have bureaucracy, rules, opening hours, and regulations. Almost all foodbanks are limited in food. Some food banks require recipients to fill out complicated paperwork. Some food banks aren’t properly managed. Some food banks have very limited opening hours and are difficult to access. There is nowhere in this country that is open 24/7 for emergency food… EXCEPT the hospital. But you would have to feign some sort of illness that requires an overnight stay for food. So in reality, there is no honest way to get food in the event of an emergency. I used to leave it to the professionals to deal with poverty, but poverty requires a collective community effort! And today I decided to cut out the middle man and deal with it one on one. So I hope the person gets back to me or she finds food somehow. As I am writing this, I just remembered that she could have went to marché Jean Talon today. They have plenty of free samples. One lap through there, and you will be stuffed!

Homelessness in the Suburbs

August 14, 2010

A homeless woman soliciting cars at the red light by Yorkdale Mall, in the suburbs of Toronto.

Her partner soliciting cars on the other side of the street. His sign says he is hungry.

As I was walking towards one of Toronto’s snazziest malls in the suburbs, I couldn’t help but notice a couple on the intersection stopping cars for money. Their signs that read “HOMELESS” and “HUNGRY” were written very legibly on good quality paper. They undoubtedly looked more well groomed than the stereotypical homeless guy. But at the same time their looks indicated despair.

Not everyone down on their luck is a toothless haggard.

The couple made me think of the many who are well educated and hardworking but somehow still fell through the cracks of the system. There can’t possibly be jobs for everyone. We don’t hear about those people because not everyone who is homeless necessarily begs for money.

The couple also made me think of poverty in relation to location. Homelessness isn’t a phenomena that only occurs in downtown. You can lose your job in a factory in the suburbs, inner burbs and rural areas.

Of course, there is more factors that come into play on the issues of homelessness. These were just some thoughts that occurred to me as I passed by them.

Homelessness is a very complex issue, and merits very complex answers.

Regardless, when I asked the couple if I could take their picture (shown above), they were very thrilled. This may be because this was the first time in a while anyone had any interest in them…

Why Jerry Springer is the best television show!

October 11, 2009

People always give me flack for watching this show using the same arguments against it- it’s trashy and its low class. But one thing you can’t argue is that it’s honest. When we see impulsive behaviour like a guy punching out a guy, or a woman snatching a wig, we are watching human nature at its rawest form. This is possibly one of the best shows to have ever been on television!

The Jerry Springer broadcasts a side of life we always ignore- the impoverished, the mentally ill and the uneducated. These guys are hardly on television because of its somber tone, but only Jerry Springer can bring the marginalized side of our society in an entertaining easy-to-digest sort of way. The light humour doesn’t ask the viewers to relinquish all their pity, rather it brings about exposure to a dire problem.

As for that argument about Jerry Springer not being classy, I strongly disagree because unlike ‘classy’ people, Jerry never judges his guests. Ever. No matter how outlandish or unusual their behaviour is, he never ridicules or embarrasses them in anyway. Some may argue that the guests embarrass themselves, but perhaps it appears embarrassing because we chosen to ignore people who act up.

Jerry Springer once said that all these problems, be it affairs, prostitution, tranny deception are prevalent in our society, it’s just that the higher up we go in our society the better these ‘problem’s are hidden. I agree.

There are no secrets with Springer, the guests on the show are free to act however way they want, as lude as they can be, no sugar coating of civility and manners . It’s the only time on television where we get to see genuine everyday human nature. Television shouldn’t only be used to broadcast the pretty and rich elite!

The other argument I often hear is that the show is staged, its fake only because “nobody acts like that”. Well of course it’s hard to believe people could be so outlandish, but did you ever consider that the rough circumstances in these peoples lives makes them so that they have nothing else to lose? They don’t care what you think. I’ve ventured to the crummy side of life, living in a ghetto and working in a dive bar and I know a genuine down-on-luck folk when I meet one. And nothing comes across as anymore genuine than the guests on the Jerry Springer show, for that I love it.