By: Jonathan, Community Engagement Coordinator
The main focus of the past two weeks has been working with the St.Jude’s food bank to help develop some promotional material for donations. I feel that this initiative is especially important during these times of need, as there are many restrictions that limit the influx of donations as well as the presence of volunteers. I think it’s especially concerning given the current global climate, with the explosion in Beirut, the civil unrest in the middle east, and the growing need for work and money in the lower classes of the economy. There is now more than ever a dire need for benevolent aid and I find myself struggling to understand how I can help out. It’s been really disheartening researching the statistics and numbers regarding food banks all across canada, but also inspiring seeing the few people who do put in their all to make someone else’s life better. I believe it’s important to look outside your own suffering and experiences and try to get a taste of someone else’s pain or troubles. I am fortunate to still have food on my plate everyday, fortunate to not worry about my health or safety, and fortunate to not worry about money. However, I must look beyond myself and consider those very needs in others. I find that we can all help in very small ways. Wearing a face mask helps consider the health and safety of other people, small donations can mean a lot when we all collectively give and food can be secured likewise. Its become extremely apparent to me during a time of covid that what we do as a collective society is of the utmost importance. It only takes a few people to disengage in social distancing to reanimate the epidemic, but to stop it, it requires the combined efforts of everyone on earth. Covid is often now portrayed as a divisive tool, but I choose to think of it more as an unifying one. We function as one body and we need to help each other to reach this goal of ours.