Poverty

British Columbia Ministry of

Social Development and Poverty Reduction exists to help people helping themselves out of their poverty NOT into it

My Armour Security Guard asks if I have been up to the front desk a young man sits there kind and full of empathy

“Thank you, Thank you, yes Net not Gross” he says

“Is there a washroom?” I ask

“Talk to your Armour Security Guard” he says

Richmond Food Bank does not charge interest volunteers frequently offer clients surprise gifts flagging compliments from participants

Numbers on coffee stir sticks are handed out I watch the routine and pull away with my prayer book “When I’m on my knees” I devote myself to reading while waiting

An orderly method is employed so that no brawls or mini stampedes occur in the lineup where groceries from the warehouse are delicately divided up

Front desk security checks happen before a proper entry I approach the tables with their dried and perishable goods for each weekly pick up

To show a badge and identification at each table and station requires a cooperative and well formed willing spirit

Volunteers behind tables speak to ‘clients’ to instruct them on how many items are allowed to be taken, dependent on the A B C or D category on your ticket

Cultures clash as swirling steps shuffle forward each person measuring their choice and eyeballing the goods strategically spread out

Some bring large suitcases others bags on wheels they hope to carry more groceries in empty strollers without children

Castigating calls interrupt the flow of the line as individuals lean forward eagerly to touch bread, apples and leafy greens

No one wants to be left without choice or worse nothing although inevitably goods run out for the day and tomorrow comes soon enough for volunteer or client

Poverty—how did we get here I look back to where I came from: Is this my fault | Did I make wrong choices | What about my parents

If one is in poverty | Will one continue to choose poverty | Is there a Way out of poverty

It is for the rich or poor to choose Lady Poverty as Saint Francis of Assisi says

If people were asked if they willfully chose poverty | What would they answer

Poverty is the state or condition of having little or no money, goods, or means of support; a condition of being poor

Blessed are the poor He says for they will inherit the kingdom of heaven

No one is thinking about inheritance as they walk through the food line of the Richmond Food Bank warehouse

I do my best not to be angry as I shuffle waiting an indeterminate period of time for my loaf of bread or a second hand vegetable

This is all okay I tell myself though often a keen resentment rises in my heart as if to speak silently I hear whispers

I don’t want to be in poverty | I don’t want to come to an ugly warehouse to pick up my food

Relief floods my being upon departure with a load of goods for the coming week things seem okay for the next while

Hope dawns on me as a stomach is full and people pronounce pleasantries on a sunny day

The burden of living—surviving is temporarily lifted until next time arrives when the whole poverty routine revolves to return