Booth College is hosting its first annual Booth College Service Learning Forum on April 17th. The forums are designed to bring together diverse perspectives for thoughtful engagement around an important need that has been identified in conversation with our service partners serving in Winnipeg. Local high school students are invited to join the conversation to encourage their involvement in community issues.
This year, we are bringing together diverse voices in Winnipeg to discuss food security. Manitoba food bank use in 2009 marked the largest year-over-year increase on record—up 18% from 2008. Across Canada, 9% of the almost 800,000 people assisted in the month of March alone used food banks for the first time.
Why do we need a forum? Our service providers have told us that there is increasing tension over how best to respond to the rising demand for food. Systemic problems associated with a changing economy, job losses, and stagnant incomes invite responsible civic engagement to ensure justice for the most vulnerable members of the Canadian population. Food bank critics sometimes contend that flourishing food banks inhibit passage of more just legislation by ameliorating the most visible urban crisis that might grab media attention. Food banks provide an essential community service but their voluntary status means they, too struggle: 28% report inadequate funding, 31% report running out of food, and 36% report giving out less food than usual. Alternatively, the imperative of mercy points to the immediacy of the need and the vulnerability of the children who represent 37% of food bank recipients. This forum will bring together representatives from a diverse set of perspectives to facilitate thoughtful discussion about food security in Winnipeg.
If you are interested in exploring some practical ideas about how to meaningfully respond to the situation, then join us for:
Food Banks in the City:
The Imperatives of Justice and Mercy
Saturday, April 17, 9:00-12:00
Booth College, Chapel
The forum is free. We are providing snacks and a light lunch. We are asking attendees to “bring a tin for the bin” for Winnipeg Harvest, our co-host. Our guest speakers are:
David Northcott, Executive Coordinator of Winnipeg Harvest
Jim Read, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Salvation Army Ethics Center
Paul Thomas, University of Manitoba Political Studies Professor
Dan Wiens, Water/Agriculture Coordinator, Mennonite Central Committee
Rita Chahal, General Manager, Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Moderator: Jim Cornelius, Canadian Foodgrains Bank
We do hope you will join us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sherrie Steiner, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of SociologyFor more information, or to register, contact Sherrie Steiner at 924-4896, forum@boothcollege.ca or visit the Booth website at http://www.boothcollege.ca/.
2010 Booth Service Learning Forum
In Partnership with Winnipeg Harvest
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