The 2nd annual Changemakers Pub at the Harmony Centre was a lot of stimulating fun! Barry Randall put together a dozen or so local people and groups making positive change in Grey-Bruce, from videographers to climate activists, and social activists. David Hawkins interspersed 3 musical acts, to creating an evening that made you feel good about our community.
Jill Umbach of the Bruce Grey Poverty Task Force presented a hard-hitting poem based on the words of Gabriel Cruz’s The Many Faces of Poverty and word smithed with Richard-Yves Sitoski.
Poverty, a word that strikes a chord,
A reality that’s often ignored,
A multi-dimensional issue, that we face,
A challenge, that requires, a comprehensive embrace.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
Poverty is more than just a lack of money,
It is a systemic issue, that not’s so funny,
It is affected by economic, social and political factors,
And requires a multifaceted approach, to make an impact,
and to make it better.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
Poverty is a lack of access, to basic needs,
A reality that’s hard to believe,
Food, water, shelter, and healthcare,
All affected, by poverty, that we need to repair.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities
Kids in Grey Bruce – why are 1 in 4 so hungry?
And why must soup kitchens make their school lunches?
When their money’s been spent, 1 in 3 tenants can’t pay the rent.
For 1 in 10 of those who own, they can’t afford their home.
In it’s first 10 weeks of winter warming, Safe N Sound helped,
A hundred clients get off the ground.
But now they are searching for more tents, to be found.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
Poverty is a vulnerability, that we face,
A risk to our health, and our rightful place,
A reality that’s harsh, but we can’t ignore,
A need to act, and to work, to make things better, than before.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
Poverty is a systemic issue, that we must address,
With a comprehensive approach, that we must confess,
A need to tackle the root causes of poverty,
And to build a community, a world, full of equity.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
The Poverty Task Force comes together, to take a stand,
To eradicate poverty, from our land,
To break down barriers, and the walls,
To build a world, that’s fair, and for all.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
The Poverty Task Force brings together, people from all sectors,
To document the reality, and create change across Grey Bruce hectares.
More than 72 orgs, agencies and institutes – and many volunteers,
are willing and able.
Find us at povertytaskforce.com to see who’s at our table.
Find us at povertytaskforce.com to see who is taking action.
I take off my Robin Hood hat and bow,
Charities can’t keep robbing the rich, to pay for the poor.
Warning: food insecurity is being downloaded to charities.
