Give a can of beans to the driver, then get it back next week. Good deal. Seriously, the foodbanks serve a tremendous number of people and the people responsible do a tremendous service. I talked to one worker at a foodbank and I was told that the Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance are using foodbanks as a replacement for actually helping people. I support the foodbanks for their good service and the fact that they are trying to do what an irresponsible government will not.

Realist. While we may critize he Government for not giving the needy enough money through the Welfare system, we have to admit that they do in fact give them money. The problem lies in what happens to this money. Some legitimately do not get enough to feed their famlies and therefore go the the food banks for more.

Others however spend their money on cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc; and then go to the food banks for food, and other societys for clothing.

The Government recoops some of its money through taxes, and gambling revenue.

This is a serious problem, however giving peole more money or supplying them with food and clothing doesnt seem to be the answer.

The St Vincent de Paul Society on 2nd avenue now supplys three hot meals per day. A number of years ago it was one meal. Maybe a soup and sandwich. Now there are full course meals, with soup, and desert. They probably eat better than we do.

Solution? I have no idea.

yes, you have no idea.

see for your self:

http://thetyee.ca/Views/2007o7/23/Taylor/

try that again:
http://thetyee/Views/2007/07/23/Taylor/

So, REALIST, what is the solution?
free money? tried that, does'nt work.
free money, food and housing? nope. tried that, does'nt work. How about working for a living? Ooh what a concept. Granted, not all of the welfare recipients want to or are able to work, but many ARE able to and should. We all know that abuse of the system is rampant, that is what the gov. should be trying to fix. In addition, a lot of people have their priorities mixed up, including the gov. people. You say irresponsible government, well they (governments in general)are the ones who set up the dole in the first place, so give credit for that anyway. I cannot find fault with them for trying to maintain some sort of control over the millions that are 'doled' out. That is what we the taxpayers want them to do. Now, if they did not decide to drastically improve their pay, I could probably even side with them on some issues anyway. The G. Campbell gov't sure made themselves look like the very definition of hypocrit with that wage increase.
metalman.

I will be very interested when the Treasure Cove casino takes a food donation, aka, a can of beans and lets me play their slots in exchange. That would be cool.