Showing Seniors Like Omar They Aren’t Alone
Every day, more seniors like Omar are struggling to make ends meet. Your generosity gives them somewhere to go for the healthy food they need, and shows them their community is there for them.
“Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, you’d get three paper bags full of food for $42. Now, I’ve got $100, and you don’t get anything,” sighs Omar*.
Omar spent his life working hard. He travelled around the world for his role in airport security, connecting with countless people. Now retired, his life looks very different.
“I survive on my CPP and OAS. Together, they come to about $1,100. It’s not enough,” he shares.
With the sky-high cost of food and other necessities, it’s not nearly enough to get Omar through each month.
“I tell my kids, ‘Enjoy your life now,’ because life is like a stock market. You go up, but you never know when you’ll go down.”
Thankfully, Omar has somewhere to go for the food and support he needs. And that’s thanks to our incredible community of supporters.
For the last four years, Omar has relied on his neighbourhood food bank, one of our 60+ food programs.
“I come here once a month. It helps 1,000%,” he shares.
For seniors like Omar, this support means nutritious food on the table, and the peace of mind that goes with it. And Omar’s visits to his neighbourhood food bank have become about more than groceries.
Once he retired from his busy career, Omar faced an unexpected challenge.
“I was too lonely,” Omar shares. “I stayed home, watched the news… Coming here helps. It feels like you’re not alone.”
Today, Omar isn’t just a food bank visitor. He volunteers at his neighbourhood food bank.
“I feel like I’m doing something,” he says. “It’s a way to say thank you. I’m returning the favour they’re doing for me.”
