This week we are celebrating SOSA Sunday - that stands for Service, Outreach, and Social Action. These are things that are very important to us at BCUC! Jesus’ life was an example of reaching out to helping others and of working hard to change things in our world that make life difficult or exclude people. These are the things we do to show that we love our neighbour.
Did you know there are people in our own community who struggle to buy enough food for their families? If your school has a breakfast programme or provides snacks, you will know that it is one way that the community reaches out to make sure every student has the nutrition they need for good learning.
Take a look at Rosie’s Story in the video below.
Discussion
Breakfast and snack programmes are offered to every student who wants to take part. You don’t have to “prove” that you need it. Why do you think this is important?
I wonder... if you have ever felt so hungry that you couldn’t concentrate at school.
I wonder... what you would do if you found out one of your friends or classmates was hungry.
I wonder... how our country or leaders could work together to make sure no child goes to school hungry.
Response Activity Ideas
Healthy Meals
Using grocery flyers, cut out foods for a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner for someone your age that would help them play hard and focus at school. If you help with grocery shopping, maybe you could choose some of those items off the store shelves and put them in your cart, then drop off the items into the food bank bins on your way out of the store! If not, perhaps you can add some items to your family grocery list for your grown-ups to buy and donate!
Wants vs. Needs
What’s the difference between things we need and things we want?
Make a T-chart of the things you NEED to live (shelter, clothing, etc) and things that you WANT or HAVE (such as ice cream, hockey skates) that make life better, but aren’t necessities. How would you feel if you were without some of the things on the NEED list? How would it change how you acted, worked, and played?
Older Children / Youth: Guaranteed Livable Income
Currently, a single adult in Ontario who needs support receives $733 dollars per month through social assistance. This amount leaves a person below the poverty line and this money is only there for people who have no other options. Talk to your family about some of your household expenses – how far would $733 dollars a month go? What would you prioritize?
The idea of a ‘guaranteed livable income’ is to make sure everyone has something more like $1900 per month, which is more realistic to cover the cost of necessities like food, shelter, water, heat. With this amount of money may be able to do more than just (barely) survive, and be able to contribute to the community in positive ways. What difference would it make, do you think, if you knew at least your basic necessities were covered?
Find out more about about GLI at https://united-church.ca/social-action/act-now/create-guaranteed-livable-income-program
(Source: Sheridan-Jonah, Thea. “Racism, Poverty, and a Livable Income” 40 Days of Engagement on Anti-Racism accessed on Oct. 18, 2021. https://united-church.ca/sites/default/files/2021-10/antiracism-40_day08.pdf)