Housing crisis, inflation, situational poverty has worsened, say advocates.
While the needs have become greater, the community has also become stronger since Gravenhurst Against Poverty (GAP) began five years ago.
The organization, based at Trinity United Church, has come a long way since its inception. From its food program to transportation and mental health committees and young adult centre, the grassroots group is tackling the interconnected issues of poverty.
With Tuesday meal pickups and Thursday food deliveries supplemented by a food rescue initiative and community gardens, the food program feeds hundreds of people every week.
The organization aims to be inclusive of everyone and has more than 300 registered volunteers, many of whom have lived experience with poverty.
On Nov. 12, it held a celebration of its five-year anniversary, inviting volunteers, neighbours and community advocates to learn more about what it has accomplished.
So, what has changed since GAP launched in 2017?
Volunteers and supporters of Gravenhurst Against Poverty celebrate the organization’s fifth anniversary. Nov. 12, 2022. | Sarah Law/Metroland photo
“Poverty hasn’t changed. It’s still as difficult as ever and more extreme. There’s more people who are living in poverty now as a result of recent years,” said GAP chair Bonnie Dart.
“We’ve got dozens and dozens of people in motels who are not in good living conditions to cook and prepare meals,” she continued. “We have several people living in tents who will go to couch surfing over the winter but then end up back in the tent come spring.”
However, what has changed is people’s mindsets toward poverty.
“There’s a discomfort with poverty itself but I think that GAP has helped to shine a light on poverty in such a way that it can’t be ignored,” said Dart. “People in the community, whether it’s seasonal or year-round residents, are much more aware … they embrace the need and they want to do something about it.”
While skepticism and stigma still exists, education is combating the “just get a job” mentality, she explained.
“‘Why aren’t you working?’ They are working. Having a full-time job is not enough now to make ends meet,” she said.
Members of the Gravenhurst Against Poverty team celebrate the organization’s fifth anniversary. Nov. 12, 2022. | Sarah Law/Metroland photo
Almost 10 per cent of Muskoka’s permanent population is considered low-income households, which means their after-tax income is below 50 per cent of the median household income, according to the 2021 Census.
GAP has become more aware of rural poverty in Gravenhurst and the impact of being isolated from town resources. Situational poverty has also risen since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more people realizing “that could be me.”
“It’s not uncommon to have somebody come in (saying) ‘I haven’t eaten in a couple of days,’” said vice-chair and volunteer management lead, Linda Harrison. “You stand at your own sink, preparing a meal and you’re thinking about someone you met during the day who is struggling in so many different ways, not just food but mental illness.”
GAP now provides a snack basket at the Gravenhurst Public Library, and is looking into starting a community kitchen program to teach people how to cook, as well as regular community dinners hosted by Gravenhurst High School‘s hospitality students.
“My vision would be that there’s a meal available every day of the week somewhere,” said Dart.
Volunteers Ethel and Ardyn Todd help distribute the food at Gravenhurst Against Poverty’s fifth anniversary celebration. Nov. 12, 2022. | Sarah Law/Metroland photo
GAP’s young adult centre is also setting roots at the church where the Gravenhurst Women’s Centre was located.
While GAP’s vision was to acquire its own space at the Ing Building, the property was sold last year. The organization’s plan is to continue expanding at the church, where Dart said it will always have a presence.
“We’ve looked at buildings. We’ve spent a lot of time looking at possibilities, so if one came available, we wouldn’t look the other way,” she said.
Despite the severity and complexity of poverty in Gravenhurst, Dart said she feels confident in GAP’s model of “neighbours helping neighbours.”
“You don’t feel hopeless. We can do something. We can offer social opportunities, we can offer food, we can offer a warm space, we can offer programs — and no judgment, which is really important,” she said.
Bonnie Dart and Linda Harrison of Gravenhurst Against Poverty reflect on what the group has accomplished over the last five years. | Sarah Law/Metroland photo
Sarah Law – Gravenhurst Banner – Monday, November 21, 2022