By Kendall Worth!
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| Kathy and Kendall |
Some months ago I discovered that there is a a Sunday Supper, that welcomes all, at Saint Andrews United Church. It takes place from 4 till 6pm, every Sunday, in the church hall at the corner of Robie and Coburg Rd. (Spring Garden west of Robie). I recently interviewed Kathy who is the Director of Sunday Supper.
You can see the Interview below, but in this post, I bring you another example of Social Prescriptions and Social Prescribing, that I write about frequently, already happening here in Halifax.
This post, explains how many welfare recipients, in Halifax, spend from Friday evening, when Hope Cottage closes, until Monday morning breakfast at Brunswick Street Mission, socially isolated, at home.
Unlike our Halifax population who are part of the financially better off community, welfare recipients mainly spend their weekends alone and Isolated. Factors that lead to that include:
Because they live alone. Employment Supports and Income Assistance, (ESIA) our income assistance program, here in Nova Scotia, encourages this loneliness which I explain in Post Part#1 and Post Part#2 .
They do not get invited to go visit and hangout, at the homes of family and friends, sometimes even when they are lucky enough to have family and friends that own homes.
There is no money in such low budgets for doing things that cost money. The most a single person can receive is $950 – the so called Standard household Rate. $950- minus rent and bills explains why.
I learned from Interviewing Kathy, that the Sunday Supper is a great option for getting out and removing yourself from your apartment after a weekend alone.
See Below for Interview:
#1 – Can you tell me about origin of the supper, at St Andrew’s… how and why it got started.
Kathy’s Answer – Saint Andrews Sunday Supper started at Christmas in 1985. It started as a Community Christmas Party; then we found there was a need to have a meal program on Sunday. Until Sunday Supper started no Sunday meal was available, so Sunday Supper got started to fill this Gap. And we have no expectation for people to attend the Church Service to access the Sunday Supper.
#2 – People in the community tell me that me that Sunday Supper is not only a service that provides free meals for those living in poverty, it also serves as a Sunday social program for those who are lonely. Is this true, and, if yes, how and why – Or how could you best describe the purpose that Sunday supper serves?
Kathy’s Answer – We always treat people as a guest. Just like treating a house guest, nothing matters. Doors open at 4pm, and meal is served at 5pm. 4pm ‘til 5pm snacks and coffee are served. This is a Sunday gathering spot for many, and, in my view, many people have made connections by attending.
#3 - Do you know of any success stories where people have made social connections and friendships through attending Sunday suppers?
Kathy’s Answer – I have volunteered for 30 years at Sunday Supper. In my 30 years, I have seen people getting to know people. Some have eventually started sitting at the same tables as groups as time of the Sunday supper went on.
#4 - You may find this question is a bit off topic, however this is a question I ask everyone I interview. Do you support the current Income Assistance Rates , meaning $950.00 (and some people on income assistance receive less) a month, which we know is not enough money to live on? And, do you support and/or see Basic Guaranteed Income, at an increased level, being a possible solution to problems that people living in poverty are having?
Kathy’s Answer – Everyone has to have a livable income. Yes I do agree that $950.00 or anything less is not enough money to live on. I agree that what the province pays is too low.
So anyway Readers As you can see from Kathy’s Interview the Sunday Supper is a great option for defeating social isolation because it does bring community together.
So lets keep Finding Solutions! Some of which I have written about extensively….
As many of you know, part of my Journalism focuses on how living a life of social isolation is encouraged as part of the experience of living life on Income Assistance in Nova Scotia. Living on $950.00 or less; Of course, as this post points out some good news is coming for approx 60% of Income Assistance recipients in April 2024, when they will get an increse of $300 per month, making the maximum == $1250 per month.
Throughout my journalism I have promoted the ideas of social prescribing and social prescriptions, that could come to life here in Halifax, as solutions to social isolation.
And from my Experience of Interviewing welfare recipients for my BLOG, and the now folded Nova Scotia Advocate , it seems that not enough welfare recipients in Halifax know about this Sunday Supper option.
Occasionally, I get contacted about Social Prescriptions and Social Prescribing already happening. Examples Include the following from previous posts:
The North Grove, located in Dartmouth North is one of these Examples of a Social Prescription model.
Another Example is my more recent post on Halifax Circus School.
And of course, All Together Link Events which I have written about is another example.
Note: Will be updating you on All Together Link events soon.
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