Children in poverty a growing concern
When Norman Meade was a boy, poverty was a normal part of life.
Meade grew up in Manigotagan, a primarily First Nations community on the east shore of Lake Winnipeg. Although the area is only about two and a half hours from the provincial capital, hecan remember times when he didn't have shoes or running water in the house.
"We were poor as children, but we had God's love in our family and that carried us many times," says Meade, now in his 60s. "Why? Because it strengthened our faith and hope. We knew things couldn't get much worse. We could only hope and pray that things would someday get better."
Things have become better in some respects, as the child poverty rate declined to 8.2 per cent in 2010, below the nine per cent pre-recession level. But for many children and their families, poverty is still a major issue.
For example, children of lone parents are three times as likely to be poor as those living with two parents, says Joe Gunn, executive director of Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ).
Gunn points out that many working families are living in poverty. CPJ's Poverty Trends Scorecard, released this fall, reports that families with one person working account for 40 per cent of those living in poverty. Families with two adults working make up 12 per cent of those living in poverty.
Food banks and other programs are seeing a growing demand for their services. The Salvation Army in Canada reports that demand has increased at more than 60 per cent of its food banks and meal programs in the last 12 months.
Agape Table in Winnipeg offers a daily meal, and runs a low cost grocery and food bank. They feed about 150 children every two weeks through their food bank.
They feed children indirectly by providing food to their parents and caregivers. "It's not the children that are in poverty, but it is their parents and caregivers," says program coordinator Elizabeth McAdam. "The children are living in poverty as a result of their family situation."
"One of the main issues is housing," says McAdam. "Most of the people who come here are working poor. They simply can't make enough to cover the rent and food."
McAdam tells the story of one family who had to leave the house they were renting because it had so much mildew and mould that their kids were getting sick. Now they are living with a relative because they can't find affordable housing for their family of six.
Stratford House of Blessing in Stratford, Ontario, tries to fill in some of the gaps in its area, and help parents provide a stable environment for their kids.
The House of Blessing has more people using its services this year than during the recession, their previous peak. They are helping parents meet the needs of approximately 160 children each month. Executive director Theresa McMurray identifies factory closures and the rising price of groceries as some of the factors.
McMurray says what they offer children is "a way of providing stability in the things we sometimes take for granted—food, clothing, having furniture in their home."
One of House of Blessing's special programs is "Off to School Smiling," which provides a backpack of school supplies and a new outfit to school-age children.
Meeting physical needs is important, agrees Meade, now an elder among his people, a pastor and the coordinator of the Aboriginal Neighbours program with Mennonite Central Committee in Manitoba. Itis also important to offer love and hope to needy children.
"It's good to have groups send clothing to keep the children warm," says Meade, "but you have to make the spirit strong."
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