YORKTON - The calendar may have barely turned to December but that does not mean it is too early to consider the needs of others at this time of year.
Certainly the need seems to be on an unending upward trajectory. There are more and more people finding it increasingly difficult to stretch the dollars they take in to cover the cost of living.
We know there are a multitude of reasons more people struggle, starting with the impact of governments at every level.
We see property taxes in the city increasing every year, and that ultimately pushes home rentals higher.
The minimum wage in Saskatchewan is the lowest provincial rate in the country.
Federally, the unpopular carbon tax has certainly pushed prices for many things higher, aided often by big business adding a few more cents to costs to boost bottom lines while blaming the feds.
And suddenly everything we need for a roof over our heads to heat and lights for that home to the clothes on our back and the food on our tables costs more, while wages often stagnate. It’s a dual whammy that leaves many struggling.
It’s the reason the community fridge project has such steady use.
It’s the reason there is a need for the temporary shelter of Bruno’s Place.
It’s the reason the request for Salvation Army Christmas hampers remains long.
It’s the reason Yorkton Fire Chief Trevor Morrissey has undertaken to find a way to help those homeless.
Yes, there are supports for those needing a helping hand, but they never seem to be quite enough.
And so often those supports rely on the generosity of the public – and each of us feels the pinch of increasing costs, so it’s just a little harder to reach into the pocket and throw a few dollars into Christmas kettles, or to buy a few extra cans of food for a local food bank.
So maybe what we need to do is find some solutions as we move forward.
Certainly it’s a good thing to help if you can right now, so make the season just a little brighter for those needing a helping hand, but we really need to collectively find answers.
How do we create housing for the homeless? Who pays?
How do we instill a culture of community gardens and full freezers to feed our own hungry?
How do we create a culture of sufficient wages to cover reasonable costs of living?
Those are the questions requiring answers in a caring community – are we up to that challenge?
