Kate Ronnebeck
A Walk in Other's Shoes: Poverty Challenge 2018
Description
A Walk in Other’s Shoes is returning to this year’s Week of Action Against Poverty. This challenge is being undertaken by individuals in the community who have interests within the health field. Participants have been asked to attempt to stay within a social assistance benefits’ budget. A single person on Ontario Works would receive $337 monthly for all of their personal needs and $384 for all of their shelter costs. Because participants cannot replicate the housing conditions realistically, shelter costs are not included within this challenge. For the five day challenge, participants will have $11 daily to cover all food and drink, entertainment, some personal supplies and transportation costs. Each day, every participant will be given a challenge card which will reveal an unexpected challenge to be completed before the end of the day.
A Walk in Other’s Shoes is not a competitive challenge. It is a challenge that raises awareness of the hurdles that people living on social assistance face daily. As we within our community develop our own understanding, we can begin to reduce the barriers that they encounter and ultimately increase opportunities for increased prosperity for all. The challenge takes place February 10th-14th, 2018.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Walking with a little wandering
Cough cough cough
"You have a nasty cold. Purchase some items to curb the symptoms."
Monday, February 12, 2018
Happy Monday
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Shoes and Such
Parties & Pondering
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Daycare Difficulties
- Licensed daycare - I believe unsubsidized rates are around $64 per day from 12-18 months
- Home daycare - rates vary, from my experience $35-45 per day
- From my understanding there is only one licensed daycare in town that takes children aged 12-18 months, and even if I could afford the $64 per day, which I cannot on minimum wage, today is Saturday and I need care for Monday morning! Option number 1 = out. (With more time I would likely apply for a subsized spot, but I am not sure on the availability, eligibility, etc).
- Home daycare - I posted on the local Home Daycare Facebook group - this seemed to get people talking -some great replies. One shared idea outlined trading daycare between families as needed and even for skills / services (ex. esthetic services if that was your speciality). Another offered home daycare at a rate lower than I had heard of before - $30 per day.
Day 1
- Go for frozen vegetables ($2.27 for a bag that MAY get me through the next five days if I ration it)
- Look high and low on the shelves for store brands (that one worked but I did need to ask a taller customer to reach two items for me)
- Aim for whole wheat and compare prices carefully, if the price difference is small enough go for whole wheat (whole wheat pasta was more expensive - $1.27 at No Frills, white pasta at Dollarama - $1, I chose to spend the extra 27 cents to get the whole wheat, I can honestly say I see why some people wouldn’t)
- Check the produce section for 50% items, stores will put items that are close to their expiry or not looking their greatest on sale for 50% off (I purchased bananas that were bagged and marked 50% off, 2.5 lbs of banana at 0.77/lb would have been almost $2, I paid less than $1 for the 5 bananas … will let you know how they are once I open my first one).
- Aim for no salt added canned foods (my no salt added chickpeas were the same price as the salt containing chickpeas)
- If you have a family you are pretty much eligible
- Open Tuesday-Friday
- Unbelievable number of programs - Baking in Bag, Hot Lunches, WoMan’s Kitchen (not restricted to women only), there is a small store where you can purchase some basics for a very minimal cost (see picture below), a plentiful stash of donated items families can access at any time they are in need, Breakfast coupon program which provides a coupon for milk, bread & eggs for $2 … and the list goes on ...