Recently I travelled to Toronto, I had never been out there before and felt as though I should see a bit more of Canada before travelling to other countries.
While there I took in some touristy things and then was off walking around just taking in the city. During my wandering I came across numerous people who were looking to sign people up to a charity for a monthly donation.
I would tell them I wouldn't be giving and they'd ask to have a conversation anyway, so I'd let them speak. I had actually worked as one of these individuals during my time in Australia, so knowing how they're treated I always give them a smile.
In fact I once asked someone, "Hi, how are you?" to which they told me to "F*** off." I hadn't pestered him, I had simply smiled and asked how they were. They could have easily ignored me as many did, smiled and kept walking as some do, but this was his reaction and it was actually the reaction of quite a few. So, I do try to be nice to them even if they are annoying me or I really don't want to talk to them.
The one person was quite convincing, while another attempted to guilt me by asking, "Would you be hungry today with $1 less?"
Though it's true I wouldn't be hungry, I also didn't recognize the name of their foundation so regardless of how guilty he was trying to make me feel I wasn't going to be giving him a dime.
This made me start thinking though. In this day and age the world is small and people are in need across it.
There are starving children, war torn countries ripe with strife in need of medical and food for its common citizens, and something needs to be done for them.
However, as I lay awake thinking about this, I felt bad for them all. The points the people on the street were making were skewed though. Yes, people are in need around the world, but to say that healthcare is so easily accessible in Canada, which it's suppose to be but isn't necessarily, or to ignore the fact that there are people in Canada starving as well. Simply by researching how many families use the Food Bank, it proves that people are in need in our own country.
Anyway as these people asked why I wouldn't give, I'd reply that I try to help out at home, being global is important, but I would explain that I'd rather support my own community.
Some would accept this, while others would persist telling me I needed to do more. I wanted to ask them if they contributed monthly or not, but ended up telling them I had to get going. To be honest I was up front with them instantly, that I wouldn't be giving them anything, and they must have taken that as a challenge because I had stopped so I must be breakable.
The only thing they actually convinced me of was that I'm not doing enough at home. If all they are looking for is $30 a month then why not put a dollar away every day and go make either a monthly donation of cash or of food to the local Food Bank.
So, I guess those annoying people who work for charities on the street inspired me to help people in need, but the ones in my own community that you either know are having a hard time or the ones that are silently struggling and are having to go to the Food Bank to ensure their family is fed.
