A Story of Food Insecurity in 3 Short FB Posts.
Post One - So yesterday a neighbour, out of the goodness of their heart, took me to the Salvation Army food pantry. I went for the obvious reason - it will be 20 days before I can afford food. The outside of the place was so filthy that I didn't like standing there, jars of mayonaise had stood in the sun so long the contents melted, and the bit of fruit I was able to get was mostly rancid, which I saw when I opened the container. It was disgusting, and I'm wondering to whom I can speak to about this. Serving spoiled food to the community's most desperate is LOW.
Post Two - UPDATE - I called Fraser Valley Health about the conditions at the Salvation Army. They got back to me in less than an hour. They are going down to look at the place. They said they would call me back but I have no idea if they will. But if they called back this fast, that lets me know that I am not the only person to complain.
Post Three - Final Update - The health inspector went down and made them throw out the rotten produce. The excuse given to them was "Oh normally we give that to the farmers for the pigs." I said "Are we the pigs, then? Because that's what they were giving us. Rotten veg, sour fruit, yogurt left out in the sun, and green bread." He said he would be speaking to the people in charge, but I can't help but feel that "pig" comment was directed at us - the homeless, the destitute, the disabled, and the elderly. We're the pigs that get the rotten feed. Shit I wouldn't give my chicken on a bet. Shit I would not give to a literal pig. But we're supposed to eat the slime and smile and say thank you, like good little piggies.
