Chili Blanket Event Warms Inside and Out
Saturday, December 10, 2011 @ 3:14 PM
Lorna Waghorn-Kidd, dishes up a cup of chili to Michael Felix
Prince George, B.C. – The 9th annual Chili Blanket event on the steps of the Court house in Prince George, drew hundreds of people today.
They lined up for a up of hot chocolate, a cup of hot chilli, and the opportunity to pick up some warm clothing, blankets, boots, or some personal hygiene packs.
The event is hosted by the Northern Women’s Forum, and organizer Jan Mastrometeo says over the years, the numbers of people coming to the event to take advantage of the free food and warm clothing. “We had people lining up this morning for an event that was set to start at noon. We have seen the numbers of attendees grow over the years.”
Information sheets handed out to those who attended including the following facts on poverty in B.C.
· Poverty leads to poor health, problems in school, more crime, and greater stress on families; Poverty costs British Columbians 8.1-9.2 billion $ each year
· A poverty reduction plan in BC would cost $3-4 billion/year while generating $5.3 billion in additional income
· BC is still the province with the highest level of child poverty – for 8 years now
· Over 20% of Canadian workers are low income workers
· Canadian women working full time, full year jobs still make only 73% of the male wage and this would change with the provision of Universal Child Care
· British Columbian workers need to earn a “living wage”
· In 2008 the poverty related costs of crime was $745 million
Comments
Thank you, and bless you for your caring and giving:)
Another Christmas tragedy followed by a Christmas miracle.
Will the tragedies ever end so there is no need for charity of sorts.
I recollect around 2000 years ago some 33 year old guy said something, like “we will always have poor people” or something like that. I think his initials were J.C.
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