How Our In-Person Outreach Starts

Our in-person outreach doesn't begin with a sandwich. It begins with a smile.

Sometimes we have a sign with us, and sometimes we don't. We wear positive-message shirts that help communicate why we are there before a conversation even begins. I regularly wear shirts with messages such as You Are Loved and Love Is For Everyone. Sometimes that message is even more direct:

Love Is For Everyone — Free Hugs, Smiles, Caring.

Then we do exactly that.

A smile. A hello. A little conversation. A free hug or fist bump for someone who wants one.

That's often how the connection starts.

Then We Ask a Simple Question: Are You Hungry?

If someone is hungry, our basic food offer is usually a peanut butter and jam sandwich.

It isn't intended to be fancy. It's an inexpensive, portable food that provides carbohydrates, protein, fats and calories—something that can be particularly useful when a person has limited and unpredictable access to food.

But that basic sandwich is only a starting point.

Through our ongoing weekly outreach, we see many of the same people again and again. Consistency gives us an opportunity to get to know people, and it gives them an opportunity to get to know us.

As mutual respect and trust develop, more options can become available.

Depending on what we have available, that could mean a ham and cheese sandwich, bologna and cheese, or simply cheese. At different times of the year, we may also have bottled water, freezies, hot tea or coffee.

It isn't about rewarding one person while ignoring another. Our basic outreach remains about human connection and helping where we reasonably can. But when additional resources are limited, people who consistently respect the time, food, donations and volunteer effort making those resources possible receive priority for additional support.

Creating Opportunities Beyond the Sandwich

This is also where our Lunch & Learn events come in.

Events are posted online and promoted during our in-person outreach, including through posters with dates and times. People who sign up may have the opportunity to choose from available sandwich options as part of their registration.

We are also clear about expectations.

If arrangements have been made for someone to attend an event or pick up a specially prepared sandwich, we expect them to follow through or let us know when they cannot.

We understand that things happen. People's lives can be unpredictable, particularly when someone is living rough or facing significant challenges. But repeatedly not showing up without notice or a reasonable explanation wastes food, volunteer time and donated resources.

Respect has to go both ways.

When that happens repeatedly, additional supports may no longer be available for a period of time. The door to basic human connection isn't closed—a smile, conversation, hug or fist bump can still be there. When extra sandwiches are available, we may share those too.

There are also ways to regain access to additional support by demonstrating respect and responsibility consistently over time.

Understanding Addiction, Recovery and the Person

Our approach also recognizes an important reality: people are not all starting from the same place.

Addiction can affect behaviour, relationships, decision-making and someone's ability to consistently meet commitments. Early recovery can bring its own challenges. Even after someone becomes clean and sober, rebuilding relationships, responsibility, self-respect and respect for others can take time.

Understanding those challenges does not mean having no boundaries.

It means trying to combine compassion with clear expectations and consequences.

We can continue treating someone as a human being worthy of a smile, conversation and dignity while also expecting greater responsibility before providing additional opportunities and resources.

That is part of what Not Just A Food Program is about.

We start small.

A smile. A conversation. A hug or fist bump. “Are you hungry?” A peanut butter and jam sandwich.

Then we keep showing up.

Over time, consistent contact can become a relationship. A relationship can create trust. And trust, respect and responsibility can open the door to more options for those who want to move toward better health, wellness and opportunities.

❤️ LIFE — Love Is For Everyone