Editor:
I am one of B.C.’s disabled. I am Asperger’s (or mildly autistic, which I prefer to call it) with severe health problems, my husband suffers from bi-polar, my adult son is autistic and my mother is 79. We all live together and I care for all of us. This is not a letter to complain about how I feel our government has let us down greatly, though I do. This is a letter designed to show the great people of the Sunshine Coast just where their donations to the food bank go.
The responsibility of maintaining food banks lies completely on the backs of the great people in every community across B.C. Even though I’ve lost all pride and dignity having to ask for food, I am so grateful to the many wonderful people here who donate and volunteer at our food bank. I would give my right arm to be able to work outside my home and be independent, but I face multiple barriers to employment. I wake up with a heavy heart and go to bed with tears in my eyes and my brain filled with worry about what would happen to my family should I die. It is only through the kindness, generosity and dedication of the wonderful people here on the Coast who donate and volunteer that we survive.
I need you all to know how much it means. You all are, in my opinion, the unsung heroes of the Sunshine Coast. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank God for all of you. With the erosion of the middle class in B.C., I fully understand how hard life is for you all now as well and it makes me cry to think that so many of you still donate, still help even though it places more stress on you and your world. To all those who donate and volunteer, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to keep not only my family alive but the hundreds of other families that rely on the food bank. May God bless you all always for keeping my faith in mankind alive.
Sheri Marino, Halfmoon Bay
