A Festering Wound

A temporary solution

Never meant to last

But they have.

Becoming

An embedded part

Of the social safety net

For thousands of Canadians

On a weekly basis.

Various levels

Of government promise

Constructive action

But nothing happens.

Except

Their need grows

More desperate

For low income earners.

Know

People feel good

When they drop off

A can or two

At the collection bins.

But

Their donations

Only re-enforced

The growing problem

Faced by society.

The only solution is

Ban outright

Food banks.

Placing the onus

Back on governments

To address

This growing inequality

With progressive legislation.

I know

People will view

My proposal

As draconian

And evil.

Except

Am saying this

As a person

Who has used

A food bank

In the past month.

Coming away

With food

I can't use

For health reasons.

Rather

Take the risk

And give more money

To people

Which they can buy food

To eat healthy.

Whether

An increase

To the minimum wage

Or higher pay out

For social assistance.

Preferably

Both changes.

Will admit

Any system is

Open to abuse

By people.

But

The need outweighs

Any possible misusage.

Author's Note

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/11/24/ontario_falling_behind_its_own_poverty_reduction_goals.html