In the following interview, Eloïse, one of our two case workers, explains her role and everything you need to know about applying for food aid.
You'll see, it's easy!
QUESTION: "Hello Eloïse! First, how would you describe your role at the BAM?"
ELOÏSE: "Hello! For me, working at the Food Bank means first and foremost offering a warm welcome and a sympathetic ear to people in difficulty. I receive each person without judgment and in complete confidentiality, to help them find food aid solutions based on their financial situation. I also work closely with aid organizations in the Memphremagog MRC and the CSSS. This enables me to provide the best possible support to our users, whatever the challenges they face."
Q.: "What do you enjoy most about your work?"
"I like being able to provide help that has an immediate impact on people's lives. Thanks to the helping relationship that develops with users, I feel that my work contributes to making a difference in the community. For me, it's vital to be able to ensure that a basic need like food is met if you want to flourish."
Q.: "What are the questions you're asked most often?"
"I'm often asked “What are the conditions or minimum wage to qualify for food assistance? The answer isn't as simple as that. Yes, you must consider your income, but also your household expenses. That's why we invite people to meet with us to carry out a financial assessment with a case worker."
Q.: "How does this financial assessment take place?"
"The meeting takes place at our Magog office and lasts about 20 minutes. The case worker will discuss your sources of income and household expenses. This allows us to determine the monthly budget available for food and the type of assistance that will be offered according to the size of the household.
For example: the basket may be larger or more frequent, as in the case of families with dependent children. Our Départ canon program, aimed at families with children aged 0 to 5, entitles them to a second basket in the month, including diapers, eggs, milk and fruit and vegetables. School-age children can also enjoy healthy snacks.
Finally, for the sake of fairness, the financial evaluation will be reviewed each year to offer the most appropriate assistance to our users."
Q.: "How do I prepare for my first meeting with a case worker?"
"To assess your financial situation, we ask that you bring the following documents with you:
- Proof of income (benefits, social assistance, unemployment, etc.)
- Current expenses:
- Lease or rent receipt
- Hydro-Québec bill
- Internet or telephone bill
- Home or auto insurance contract
- Automobile or transportation expenses
- Debt or recurring expense
- Etc.
If assistance is granted, the user can go and put together his first basket at the social grocery store (... don't forget to bring 3-4 reusable bags). You'll find a wide variety of foodstuffs to choose from, including fruit, vegetables, meats, dairy products, various breads, condiments, and hygiene products, diapers, etc. A typical grocery basket is worth around $320 for a family of 4."
Q.: " In addition to a basket of food in hand, how do people leave after a meeting at the BAM?"
"The people I meet at the Food bank are sometimes anxious or embarrassed to ask for help on their first visit. I believe that trust develops between us and gradually, they see that there are solutions and that we can help them. I'm happy to see them leave relieved to have shared their story, but above all that they've been heard."
Q.: "I don't have enough to feed my family today. What can I do?"
"In general, we ask people to make an appointment so that we can better plan our staffing levels, but we understand that sometimes the need to eat can't wait until the next day. In such cases, we can help on an exceptional basis. Remember that we also distribute surplus food free of charge every day from 10:30 a.m. to noon at La Dépense. It's open to all, no questions asked. Just bring your reusable bags!"
Q.: "Do you have any advice for someone who's hesitating to ask for help?"
"You shouldn't feel bad about asking. It's our primary mission, our raison d'être at the BAM. We're here to help you. Sometimes people mistakenly believe that receiving help takes resources away from others who are in even greater difficulty. You must get over this embarrassment. I often say that a hole in the budget can happen to anyone. And who knows, maybe one day it'll be your turn to give back?"