People First Media program archive
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Rising demand for services at 7-10

April 22nd, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Rising demand for services at 7-10)

Increased numbers push Nanaimo’s 7-10 Club to a financial edge

The 7-10 Club provides hot breakfasts and bagged lunches to poor and needy people in Nanaimo five days a week. The organization has weathered changes over the years and recently enhanced its services with the addition of a new kitchen.

Over the past months, the food service has made a number of appeals for funds from the community, as it deals with increasing demand for its meals. Now, the Club is concerned about recent changes to funding implemented by the provincial government. (more…)

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Cuts “won’t save money”

March 25th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Cuts “won’t save money”)

B.C. government cutbacks aimed at the poor and struggling

Following its March 2nd budget, the BC government announced a number of cuts to health and medical services available to people receiving disability and income assistance. Jane Dyson, of the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities, said, “This will not save money. People’s overall health and well-being will deteriorate and they will access the health system more as a result.” (more…)

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A national radio conversation

February 18th, 2010 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on A national radio conversation)

Nanaimo’s CHLY and 30 other Canadian community radio stations bring homelessness and poverty issues to the air

Canada’s 8th annual national Homelessness Radio Marathon will broadcast live from Nanaimo and cities across Canada on Tuesday, February 23rd, starting at 2 p.m. (Pacific) and running all night long until 4 a.m. (Pacific) on Wednesday morning. Over thirty participating community radio stations  will once again serve up 14 hours of “people-powered” and “consciousness-raising” radio. The Marathon provides an opportunity for homeless people and their allies to take to the airwaves, and fosters a nationwide discussion on homelessness issues and possible solutions. (more…)

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Coalition raises poverty issues

December 10th, 2009 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Coalition raises poverty issues)

Group opposes Salvation Army lunch fee and is asking questions about shelters

A Nanaimo-based advocacy group, the Creative Awareness Collective, is challenging a recent fee attached to the lunches served at The Salvation Army’s New Hope Centre. The Pennies from Heaven campaign aims to stop the fee. The group is also speaking up about practices at Nanaimo’s emergency shelters.

We speak with Wallace Malay and Mary Ellen Bruce of the Creative Awareness Collective and with Rob Anderson from The Salvation Army. (more…)

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Food banks face a busy time

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Food banks face a busy time)

Statistics show a large increase in the use of food banks by Canadians

National statistics released last month show the largest year-over-year increase in food bank use on record—but some provinces have been harder hit than others by the recession and surging food bank need.

We speak with George Minosky from Campbell River Food Bank Society and Mike Counsell from Nanaimo’s Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. (more…)

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Poverty persists

November 26th, 2009 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Poverty persists)

British Columbia has the highest child poverty in Canada…again…or as usual?

British Columbia had the highest child poverty rate in Canada for the sixth year in a row in 2007, according to a child poverty report card released this week. The provincial report, released along with a national study, marks the 20th anniversary of the Canadian parliament’s unanimous vote to end child poverty by the year 2000.

“Both the federal and BC governments are guilty of ignoring the research evidence, the public desire for action and the proven solutions” in dealing with child and family poverty, the report card states. The result is that in future, society will experience rising costs in health care, criminal justice, and education services. (more…)

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