THE STUDENT-LED INSPIRATION

Students across Canada have identified a common crisis facing Canadians of all ages, backgrounds, and life experiences—and it’s probably not going to come as a surprise to any of you.

Money.

Money is tight. There’s heartbreaking reports of parents having to choose between heating their house or feeding their families. Gas to get to work or food for the kids? Kingston just declared a state of emergency due to food insecurity. Reports indicate that over half of Canadian families are foregoing at least two basic necessities because there’s just not enough money to go around.

Of course, all of this is tragic on its own. But even more disheartening is the reality that financial pressures are one of the leading causes of abortion. So not only are families struggling to stay over the poverty line, but we can expect the abortion lobby to weaponize the financial crisis to increase abortions.

In the face of all this, NPOs, volunteer organizations, and charities struggle to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for help. But now, they’re capsizing under the pressure. Things are getting worse.

What can we do?

In the face of this, our students across Canada have been asking the most important question:

What can we do?

And we’ve come up with some very easy, very simple methods to put the power back in the hands of the people.

Victory Gardens

The Concept

We did some digging through the historical records and found one of the best ways to address the looming financial crisis. During both world wars, countries turned to Victory Gardens as a means of fighting financial pressures, maintaining food security, and empowering the people in tough times. If it worked then, why not now?

Read More: https://www.history.com/news/americas-patriotic-victory-gardens

How it Works

It’s so simple, your kids can help you! (Or you can go all-out and it’ll be a little more complicated, but it’s up to you!)

You will take your veggies and fruits—the ones you already eat regularly—and learn how to grow them from scrap or seed! It costs very little (in some cases, nothing at all!), and it’s easy to start growing a full fledged garden even from the comfort of your own living room!

You can grow your own:

  • Garlic

  • Tomatoes

  • Carrots

  • Onions (of all kinds!)

  • Mint

  • Basil

  • Rosemary

  • Potatoes

  • Chia

  • Celery

  • Bok Choy

  • Leeks

  • Lettuce

  • Thyme

Free Markets

The Concept

Some Churches have already launched this concept of a ‘free swap’ or a ‘free market’. These are designed to help the community get what they need, especially during difficult financial times. These markets allow people to trade or pay what they can.

How

It

Works

Over the course of the month, people are invited to bring their old stuff—things they would donate or throw away—to the Church.

At the end of the month, the Church has an open day, where all the donations are set up for guests to come view.

People pay what they can, and take what they need. The specifics of how a Church arranges donations, payments, limits, or anything along those lines are unique to the Church itself, but we have some ideas included in this How To section.