By Kayla Bruch

Struggles of homelessness eased with annual turkey lunch

Oct 16, 2014 | 4:57 PM

A special lunch in Prince Albert’s Indian Metis Friendship Centre gave a strong reminder of the struggles homeless people face.

Crystal Venne stopped by for the centre’s annual turkey lunch, saying it’s about more than free food – it’s the difference between right and wrong.

“You’re not out there trying to do whatever you have to do to get a meal in your stomach,” said Venne. “You’re not out there stealing from grocery stores or trying to beg people for money just so you can eat.”

She explained her meals are limited to once a day during the week and none at all on the weekends. The homeless lifestyle is one Venne said is easy to fall into.

“I grew up with a good lifestyle it was just the bad choices that I made and the drugs that got me into it [being homeless], “said Venne.

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Venne said she is still dealing with her methadone addiction, but the centre provides both food and resources for a better lifestyle.

The meal is held to recognize homelessness as an issue in the city, said the centre’s executive director Janet Carriere.

Carriere said everyone needs to have a good meal.

“[This lunch is important] just to let them know that they do matter and people do care because sometimes they have lost hope,” said Carriere.

Carriere said many people come to Prince Albert thinking they will find a better life because it’s the ‘Gateway to the North.’ However, the cost of city living can quickly overwhelm people who come from reserves.

Some people can’t afford house payments or keep a steady job, she explained.

“I’ve never known what it’s like to be truly hungry and I know a lot of the people in our downtown area are hungry often,” said Carriere.  

A man named James, who declined to give his last name, has been homeless for two years now and says he chose to be homeless because he felt stuck in the life he had before. James feels that he is free because he is homeless.

“[I was] locked in an $8 an hour job,” said James. “[I] felt like I was in jail.”

He said he only eats a meal like this on holidays and he is very thankful.

“It helps me, helps my friends,” said James. “Happiness is having a good happy meal.”

Unlike many people at the Friendship Centre’s lunch, Roy, who also declined to give his last name, is not homeless.

He was in a serious car accident in 2007 and disability leave from work gives him under $400 a month to live on.

The cost of food on that budget means he comes to the center the odd day when he is lacking a meal.

“Well it’s good for the people that are less fortunate, that can’t afford to go buy meals, or go to McDonalds or have the fine pleasures in life,” said Roy.

Carriere said this year the River Bank Development Corporation partnered to host the event.

“They provided the turkeys this year and that’s a big cost,” said Carriere. “We also had Frank Carriere, one of our staff donate the potatoes.”

Carriere said besides the food donations she wanted to thank the crew of volunteers for all of their dedication.

“We couldn’t do it without volunteers because it’s just too much work to put on a meal like this,” said Carriere.

kbruch@panow.com

On Twitter: @KaylaBruch1