Packaged with care

In a world rife with chaos and division, there’s never been a better time for kindness, joy… and a cookie.

Kalyn Falk is on a mission to provide all three.

Falk founded the Trans Day of Remembrance Care Package Project in 2020 as a way to mourn those lost and to ensure that trans and non-binary people in the community feel valued, seen and cared for.

Trans Day of Remembrance is observed every year on Nov. 20 to honour the memory of transgender, two-spirit and non-binary people who lost their lives to acts of anti-transgender violence and systemic oppression.

While everyone was holed up during the pandemic, Falk began to think about what she could do to bring a little light into people’s lives.

“There’s already so much negative stuff going on,” said the facilitator and advocate.

Falk decided to put some positive energy out to the people that are still here.

“I prefer to celebrate your life than remember you in death,” she said. “This did start because I have trans people in my family, but everyone needs to care about trans people,” she added.

Each year, about 50 packages containing baked goods, handmade crafts and other little gifts are thoughtfully prepared. A few additional packages for trans and non-binary community leaders also get distributed.

This year, the Care Package Project is partnering with RAY (Resource Assistance for Youth), which will, as a non-profit organization, accept donations for the initiative — with charitable receipts available — making room for expansion possible.

Along with her planning partner and baker extraordinaire Lindsay Unger, who works out of the Westgate Collegiate commercial kitchen, and a small group of dedicated volunteers, Falk knows that the project has been making a difference.

“Some people said, ‘We don’t need a cookie, we need housing.’ We had listening groups looking at what the needs are,” Falk explained.

And so, in 2023, the volunteers decided to put a pause on their grassroots giving project to reconsider their mandate.

“The year we took off was really noticed,” Falk said. “We were not solving the problem. This is not everything, but it’s something we can do.

“A lot of people want to be allies. They don’t know how,” she said, adding that as the project has grown, more and more people have contributed, and the number of packages has increased every year.

“Life is hard — you can have a cookie. Everybody deserves a cookie and human rights,” Falk added, as the group decided to forge ahead with the annual project as a way to show much-needed care.

The Care Package Project will soon begin making crafts and reaching out to crafters for package items, before scheduling their baking marathon in the fall.

“Lindsay and I are the core. I couldn’t do it without her. I’m front of house, she’s back of house. When it comes to food, she is the machine.”

Now, as the group raises money for baking ingredients and begins to plan a few crafting events, the community aspect becomes particularly important.

“A sense of safety and of knowing each other, that’s a big part of our mandate,” Falk said. “We can’t offer the world, but we can offer a cookie. We can walk alongside you,” she continued, highlighting that during challenging times it helps to have lighthearted fun and some dopamine.

“We need to work together. This is not going to answer the problem, but it is important to do a small thing. Everyone wants to know that their presence makes a difference. You make the world a little better. It is good that you are here. It’s not political. It’s not a big emotion. I want people to know their presence matters,” Falk said, emphasizing that the care project is coming from an affirming, everyone-deserves-human-rights position.

“This is about neighbourhood, connection with people. We are just a bunch of volunteers. The items gathered inside the care packages are to comfort and nourish you in the ways that you need,” Falk said, wishing for trans and non-binary people to know they are appreciated.

It’s important to Falk that the care packages don’t feel like charity, so volunteers continue to find ways to bring people together. Recognizing the increasing costs of living, care package recipients have the additional option of being gifted a recipe with a soup kit and biscuits so they can host friends and neighbours and have conversations.

“It feels good to share,” Falk added.

Trans and non-binary artists have generously donated special things to the Care Package Project over the years, including beautiful, hand-knit tuques and art pieces. Falk hopes that people continue to support trans businesses in the community.

“If you want to contribute, if you are a maker, we need whimsical things that are delightful,” Falk said, noting that package contents are mindfully put together to reflect recipient preferences as much as possible.

“We are not representing anything other than cookies are good, human rights are good. Joy is such an important part of the human experience, it’s not just about survival— it’s what will delight you?

“These are people that we care about. We are all learning. We need to become friends.”

Falk and her team remain convinced that doing something is better than doing nothing.

For now, the project asks volunteers to keep an eye on the website for upcoming crafting and baking schedules. There is also a need for help with packaging and delivering, and someone to respond to phone calls and emails, look over lists and follow through on requests.

Those interested in helping can email youarelovedwinnipeg@gmail.com. If you are trans and non-binary and would like to receive a package, you can apply now. Visit www.rayinc.ca/tdor.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca