Ending Poverty Together

with guest Andy Harrington of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank

The hunger crisis—it’s in the news a lot these days. Food prices have gone up every year since 2019. 1 in 4 are food insecure. Over 800 million go to bed hungry. 45% of child deaths globally were hunger-related. But why is hunger rising at such an alarming rate? And, in the face of such overwhelming need, can you and I really make a difference?

In this episode, Andy Harrington, Executive Director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, sheds light on the root causes driving food insecurity. Statistics inform us of the need—and can be alarming with good reason—but tell a limited part of the story. With personal accounts about what displaced farmers face, how conflict limits resources, and the ways climate change is devastating local harvests, Andy reminds us that behind each stat is a real human with a real story. Andy’s hope-filled perspective reveals that each one of us holds the power to ignite astonishing change by starting with just one hungry person.  

The next time you see a news story about global hunger, don’t dismiss it as mere statistics. Instead, remember that a person lies behind that number—a person worthy of dignity and respect.

Recommended Resources:

Canadian Foodgrains Bank - homepage

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Amos Manirakiza of Food for the Hungry Burundi

Do you remember when you learned to read? That excitement as new worlds and stories opened up to you? Literacy is a skill that affects every aspect of life. From traffic signs to job opportunities to even reading this podcast description! Your life would probably look pretty different if you hadn’t learned to read as a kid. But for too many children in Burundi, a future of illiteracy is an all-too-common reality.

In this episode, rediscover your own love of reading with Amos Manirakiza, Education Coordinator at Food for the Hungry (FH) Burundi, as he shares about the Let’s Learn to Read program. This innovative program is changing the narrative for kids struggling with literacy in Burundi. Not knowing how to read can have a real impact on self-esteem, leading many students to drop out of school. But with Let’s Learn to Read, children are turning the page on school dropout rates, unlocking a future of possibilities, and discovering a newfound love of learning.

Recommended Resources:

About the work in Burundi at FHCanada.org

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Randall Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en, Dakelh nation, of the Duntem’yoo Bear clan.

How is your story rooted in the place—the land—you call home? If you’ve been displaced from that place, is that another facet of poverty?

Randall Bear Barnetson, an Indigenous artist from Nadleh Whut’en in Northern BC who now resides in Vancouver, shares his personal experience with poverty—not poverty from a lack of possessions, but as a result in not living on the land he’s from. He shares about the importance of place and how wealth isn’t defined by how much you own, but is rather defined by being in community with others. Randall emphasizes the power of sharing our own stories, especially as they relate to the places we call “home”. For him, these stories find expression in his artwork, which is deeply shaped by his connection to his ancestral lands. Join Randall as we delve into place, poverty, and personal story.

Recommended Resources:

Randall Bear - Instagram

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation.

Have you ever stared at rows upon rows of products on the grocery store shelf and felt paralyzed by the options? Don’t they all do pretty much the same thing? Some could argue the same thing is happening in the charity world, where services may be duplicated because nonprofits are doing the same work, sometimes even right down the road from one another.

In this episode, Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation, stresses that partnership and collaboration is a “high Kingdom value”—one of the most powerful tools we have for making a difference. He encourages organizations, charities, and businesses to look for ways to work together more closely. It’s not about slicing out smaller pieces of the pie, but rather through collaboration we expand the size of the entire pie! And then we have more to give those we’re working to serve.

Recommended Resources:

Charis Foundation - website

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Andrea Soberg, Business Professor at Trinity Western University.

When it comes to work, we all want to be valued for who we are and for what we bring to the table. You’d never want our potential to be out-weighed by stereotypes or inconveniences before even being given a chance. Yet, when it comes to hiring a woman, all-too-often potential employers first see the challenges rather than the unique expertise and passions she may bring to a role.

Andrea Soberg from Trinity Western University shares about what women and other minority groups face in securing good jobs. More than raising awareness, she offers tangible suggestions to employers—let’s start thinking differently about work and begin designing jobs in new, creative ways.

So the next time your company is hiring, perhaps the question needs to be asked, is there room for building this role differently? The results in your workplace may be surprising, in the best way possible!

Recommended Resources:

International Women's Day - toolkit, Gov't of Canada webpage

Interview with Andrea Soberg - article

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Kadee Smedley of Covenant House Vancouver.

Consider the people in your life and where they come from— we don’t all get an equal “start”, do we? For too many youth in homelessness, the lack of a safe home, square meal, and warm bed rob them of mental health and personal belief in their future. Our teen and young adult years play a big role in the opportunities we have and how we achieve our goals.

Kadee Smedley, ordained minister and spiritual care practitioner at Covenant House Vancouver, shares about the life-changing importance of providing a safe, dignifying space for youth who have experienced trauma and homelessness. A fresh start can lead to a better future.

Recommended Resources:

Covenant House Vancouver

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada.

You have to admit— you can’t always do things on your own. Whether it’s a neighbour to hold the ladder, a friend to drive us to the airport, or a shoulder to lean on for comfort, we all need the support of our community. So why is it that organizations all-too-often view each other as competitors instead of allies?

Join Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada, as she highlights how collaboration, when done well, can mean the difference between band-aid fixes for poverty versus deep, positive change not only for the present, but for the future as well. Every organization has unique strengths and fields of expertise. So, when melting pots replace silos, organizations learn from each other, become stronger together, and are better suited to come alongside the people they serve.

Recommended Resources:

Better Together - blog article

Collaborative Resources from FH Canada

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Kevin McKay, Director of Business Partnerships at Food for the Hungry Canada

How do businesses and poverty alleviation intersect? What do we really mean when we say entrepreneurs are “uniquely equipped to tackle poverty”? Kevin McKay, Director of Business Partnerships at FH Canada, unpacks these ideas as he challenges us to see beyond the all-important bottom line to the opportunities business owners have for redemptive work—work that lets us all join in the renewal of all things. 

And we’re not just talking about transformation in far off parts of the world either! We’re talking about practical, real changes that real business owners can make to have real impact right here in our own communities, with our co-workers, customers, suppliers, neighbours—our entire business ecosystem!

Recommended Resources:

Business Partnerships with FH Canada

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology.

How does looking back at Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples inform how to participate today in reconciliation? And what is the role of faith in this conversation when so much hurt was endured in the name of the Church? 

Reverend Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology, reminds us that reconciliation is a process, not a one-time event. He offers that looking back to the historic treaty process may be a good place to start. If treaties were meant to help people enjoy a peaceful existence and access to the bounty that the land provides, perhaps we can learn from this in our pursuit of reconciliation. We came together at one time because we needed one another—perhaps we can again.

Recommended Resources:

Indigenous Studies programs at Vancouver School of Theology

Episode hosted by Shelaine.

with guest Patrick Elaschuk.

Why is it that the best conversations happen around a meal? At one time or another, we’ve all (hopefully) been warmly welcomed into a home to not only eat great food, but also have a good chat—and join in community.

But for immigrants and refugees who have just arrived in Canada, finding community and much needed support through relationships is no easy task. Being the “new neighbour” is really hard.

Patrick Elaschuk, the Global Pastor at Tenth Church in Vancouver, shares about the mutual transformation that is taking place by newcomers and Canadians simply getting together in living rooms and around kitchen tables. He shares the impacts of meeting in homes, parks, and other common spaces rather than just in the church’s building, and how both newcomers and Canadians—despite their differences—are enjoying new friendships and experiencing belonging in incredibly richways. So often, good food and a good chat is all the support a newcomer needs.

Recommended Resources:

Tenth Ave Church - Global ministries

Episode hosted by Shelaine.