Day 5

My final challenge is that I lost my hairbrush. A little finger comb and blow dry it is. This experience has been very humbling. There is great value in walking in another’s shoes and to see things through a different lens. I’ve been part of fundraising efforts that are inspiring and gratifying and I will continue to do this within our school and greater community. I’m left wondering what can we do  to help those in need and proactively work together towards a solution.

In the end I was over budget by $18 and change. It was stressful to worry about what I could afford to eat, what the daily challenge would be and how I was going to make the $63 last. I continue to be amazed by the dedicated and caring people in our community. These people and community programs make a huge difference in the lives of others. Thank you KDSB for all that you do and to Nicole Vingerhoeds for signing me up.

Day four

Today was a busy one. It’s report card time and I didn’t get home until 9:30. My challenge today was that my daughter needed pencil crayons for school. How would I get them? It was too late to head to dollarama and my solution is to write a note to the teacher asking if my daughter could borrow some tomorrow until I was able to make it to the store to purchase them.

Our school has a fantastic breakfast and lunch program that many of our students access on a daily basis. Our Four Directions Program provides nutrition for our students as well. I have always been grateful for our community partners who provide us the grants but this week I have realized that we couldn’t function without them. Many of our families struggle to keep their fridges as cupboards full.

Students cannot be open to learning when they are hungry. Food plays such a critical role. Today our foods academy students  went to classes to offer broccoli and dip and mini oranges. It’s available to everyone - Staff and students alike. I feel that this sharing brings us closer together somehow. A huge thank you to all in our community who give their time and resources to eliminate hunger.

Day Three

Sorry for the late post. I attempted twice to log on and the day got away on me. Yesterday was difficult! We had several hours between appointments and my daughter wanted to shop. She has her own bank account and is able to purchase her own items but I imagined how hard it must be as a parent to not be able to purchase necessities for your child.

Not having options or having limited choices causes stress and fear. The daily challenges are situations that could happen to me on a regular basis but I have the resources readily available to
fix it. An inconvenience maybe...but not anything that would disrupt my life in a serious way. Poverty doesn’t allow for that.

Day one

Good Morning! For those of you who know me, you know that I love strong coffee with cream. I’ll forgo it if this version isn’t available. I went shopping yesterday and spent just over half of my budget and guess what? I couldn’t afford the cream. I did find coffee on sale but I heavily contemplated  the purchase. I didn’t buy sugar so coffee with milk it was.

My family had a breakfast of hash browns, eggs, toast and orange juice. I had toast with peanut butter and water. My son is very cognizant of the challenge and offers constant reminders about what I’m able to afford. Even though he isn’t a participant, I’m happy that my experience will have an impact on him.

My daily challenge was that a toilet flood ruined most of my clothes and I don’t have the money for laundry. I’m to spend the day in my most well-worn clothing. I still haven’t figured out how I’m going to afford to do my laundry for the next 5 days.....