It’s never a good time - Operation Sharing phasing out food cards

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

Operation Sharing’s well-known and well-received food card program will soon be phased due to a shifted focus towards emergency services.

In a statement shared on Jan. 21, Tim Dukes, Operation Sharing’s executive director, announced the food cards would be phased out with changes starting Jan. 31. The cards will no longer be available on Fridays and can only be accessed on Mondays and Wednesdays until March 31.

Operation Sharing’s centre has 67 beds for those in Oxford County without housing.

“The homeless numbers have risen, and we really need to shift our focus to the emergency services side of things,” Dukes said. “The cost of the program is definitely something we have to look at. With donations being down and the cost of the program being very high, it's very hard for this organization to be an emergency service centre and a food bank at the same time."

After announcing the changes on social media, the post had comments expressing disappointment over the move. Dukes acknowledged there have been mixed opinions from the public.

"There's obviously been some backlash. There's a lot of understanding. There's obviously comments that, I think, are derogatory and I don't respond to stuff like that. This is kind of the stigmas and all that we need to eliminate as a society. I'm not about to fuel those fires."

Dukes added the decision was not an easy one to make.

"It's been heartbreaking. It's been hard. Operation Sharing, the board, myself as the new director here. We know the importance of the food card program. We know the importance of creating dignity for allowing people to shop for special diet items. We are aware of the benefits that come from doing food cards as opposed to pantry."

Dukes also wants to see an improved food distribution for those in need in Oxford County. The Salvation Army downsized and is helping people facing food insecurity once every six weeks.

“Our food distribution in Oxford County is inadequate compared to the numbers that we need to serve,” Dukes explained. “Is it a good time to close the food card right now? Probably not, but there's never a good time. Hopefully, out of this, we can establish a better food bank, better food distribution here in Oxford County and Woodstock."

Instead of the food cards, Operation Sharing will be focusing on meal programs and emergency shelter services. Food for Friends, as of April 1, will be providing food, hygiene products, and clothing on Mondays and Wednesdays between 9 and 11 a.m. The organization partnered with Giant Tiger to purchase meats and school snacks, and the grocery store now has a roundup option at tils to support Operation Sharing.

Dukes is hoping to expand the hot meal program to three square meals a day, five days a week.

Operation Sharing is bringing in a variety of supports to the day space, such as OW and ODSP workers, a county navigator and employment counsellors, as well as transitional housing interviews in a mobility bus. There are also trials for art therapy programs and life skills programs, which would focus on skills such as cooking, cleaning, and budgeting, to help those without housing get back on their feet.

"It's working,” Dukes said. “We're seeing the numbers of people that are being transitioned and housed rise as every month goes by, and I just think we're just going to get stronger and better and it's going to help stabilize and help people get off the streets."

He added that when the emergency services stabilize, Operation Sharing would consider bringing back the food card program.

"If nobody else has taken up that chore of getting that program up and running, then I mean, by all means, we would look into shifting back to dealing with food bank stuff. But for right now, we are shifting to the emergency services.”