Dignity in Food: Advocacy Sparks Connection in the Kitchen

It started with a call to action.

“We need you to help us put an end to food insecurity in our community,” said Jennifer Jerrett, our Community Engagement Specialist. “The number of community members who are forced to choose between rent and food is growing every day. There is no dignity in that. Real change will come only if we raise our voices together, as a community.”

In September 2024, we launched our Help End Food Insecurity in Our Community advocacy campaign. The campaign included a 5-video series on YouTube and letter writing to officials.

“Food insecurity is caused by serious financial hardship,” stated the letter. “The cost of living continues to skyrocket and many of our neighbours, especially those with disabilities who rely on social assistance, are struggling to afford basic needs like food.”

The letter called for investments in affordable housing, public transportation, and social assistance, so people could afford to eat.

A generous community member responded with a $10,000 donation to Community Living Huntsville. These funds enabled us to launch new food security efforts, including Kitchen Connections, a monthly cooking class for people who access our services.

Each month, participants shop, cook, and eat a delicious meal together, plus take another meal home. It’s hands-on, fun, and connects everyone through food. Donated funds partially offset the cost of supplies and other expenses, and fund a $25 FreshCo gift card for each participant.

Megan Wilmon, a Supervisor with our Community Participation team, said the classes fill a gap in our community for people we support, as community-based cooking courses mostly disappeared after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is cool to see everyone excited to make a meal they maybe haven’t tried. We put on music, too. The first class, we had Eminem playing on YouTube because that’s what the group had voted on. It was fun,” said Wilmon. “Everyone is pretty focused on their cooking, but there are conversations and social connections being made, too.”

She said the classes are also an opportunity to think creatively about how to incorporate grocery store purchases, food bank items, garden produce and even foraged foods in cost-effective and healthy meals. Participants have made turkey dinners, soups, pot pies, stews, lasagnas, wraps, and side dishes.

Wilmon noted the classes are only part of the solution: “Our legislators need to get in touch with reality a little more and realize that social assistance rates are not in any way enough,” she said. “People – not just those we support – are struggling through no fault of their own.” She added that a Developmental Services organization shouldn’t be on the hook for food security solutions. “Our staff can help people budget, meal plan, shop, and prepare meals, but when a person has to make it 4 weeks with only $100 for everything, not just food? No one can do that.”

Community Living Huntsville is a not-for-profit, registered charity that supports and advocates alongside more than 300 children and adults, and their families, to promote and advance meaningful choice and real inclusion for people with developmental disabilities, so people, families, and our community can thrive. Learn more at clhuntsville.ca and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.