Mutual benefit

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This article was published 31/12/2022 (1152 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What does it mean to really give? When giving something with an expectation of receiving, the focus is on us, but giving with no strings attached focuses on the care and well-being of the recipient.

There’s a grassroots volunteer initiative called the Mutual Aid Society (MAS) Winnipeg that gives freely. The Facebook group, with over 14,000 members in Winnipeg and surrounding areas, helps connect those in need with those able to provide assistance. Basic essentials like food, clothing and everyday supplies are things many take for granted but there is an increasing number of people in the city struggling to access them. MAS provides a way for those who are struggling, to link with those willing and able to help: people taking care of each other, plain and simple.

Started by Omar Kinnarath in March 2020 as a result of increasing needs at the beginning of the pandemic, the volunteer-run online group has two main administrators and five group moderators overseeing a growing number of requests for help.

“We spend hundreds of hours accepting posts every week for the community,” said Sarah Ruff, one of the administrators along with Kinnarath, who recalls how soon it became clear that MAS would serve a critical role.

“Within a month, when MAS started there were 1,000 members. Food is a basic human right. Nobody should ever go to bed hungry ever,” said Ruff, estimating that 70 per cent of the members are single moms needing formula and diapers.

“The government failed us tremendously, all of the individuals already living in poverty, barely getting by, not eating for one, two, then three days. So many of our members, people that don’t know each other, have so much heart and compassion,” she explained.

Ruff’s passion for helping others stems from knowing firsthand what it’s like to go without. She left home in her teens and, now in her 40s, has struggled with food insecurity, even recently. As a MAS volunteer she’s given away her own things, made countless deliveries to locations around the city, helped cook meals to give away, and contributed to all aspects of co-ordination within the group.

“I put 20,000 miles on my car, dropping off hampers to members that need. I’ve always had a roof over my head. I have clothes on my back. It’s a very, very humbling experience, when you’re sitting there asking for help. All of our members are so brave. I’ve fallen on hard times. I didn’t want to ask my family or friends so I just put it out there [on the MAS page]. One individual gave me enough food for a week.”

Accessing resources is often challenging and frustrating with requirements that can include having a social worker, paperwork or a health card, and not everyone has those things.

“I am so proud to be part of a community that is there for so many people. We are helping individuals no strings attached.”

Looking ahead, MAS is planning to expand so as to serve members more efficiently. Volunteer fatigue and transportation barriers are a reality with members, who often store items in their apartments and even their cars. With the administrators and moderators currently doing the majority of the work on their phones, there’s a need to have a space to facilitate getting the donations into the hands of those who need them.

“I always have food and clothing in my vehicle. I’m fortunate to have a vehicle. We are looking for an actual physical location, to get a big enough space. A lot of our members think that we have a space and we don’t. This is going to open so many doors, to be able to provide food hampers, have a bunch of clothing,” said Ruff, who is hoping to access a space in the downtown core or West End. MAS is currently setting up a bank account to facilitate donations.

MAS members organized a clothing drive last year and members were able to come to a location and get what they needed. In the summertime they also organized a drive for fans and air conditioners to help people get through the sweltering summer heat.

“I brought an air conditioner to a mom last summer. She looked tired — life tired. You could tell she was a mom struggling. I took it out of my car, and I put it in her window,” Ruff said, remembering the look of relief on the woman’s face, and noting that someone struggling could be living right next door.

“One individual cooks meals every two weeks for members. He cooks meals and delivers to anybody in the city, no questions asked; he’s making an impact to four members every week. Food insecurity is the biggest thing. That member is making a huge impact with other members.

“I think it just comes down to having heart and compassion. So many of our members have come from trauma. The food is there, it just needs to be distributed.”

The group of dedicated volunteers who do all of the organizing and delivering have created a family without judgment or assumptions. December has been particularly busy as members cooked hot meals for those who needed them.

Though the holiday season is almost over, the need continues. If you’re looking for food assistance or able to offer something to someone else, find MAS (Winnipeg) on Facebook.