Giving to Retain Dignity

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Last week I volunteered for my first shift at a local charity called “Made by Momma” here in Calgary. The charity has been around for 16 years and they have grown their programs significantly in that time. They have what they call Santa’s Workshop which is located in a warehouse where they collect and organize newly purchased donations for local families to get what they need to have a memorable Christmas season. I love to organize so I helped sort donations and organize them on shelves.

What struck me about the experience is that they don’t just put packages together for families and send them out. They have set up a Pop-up Market that provides "shopping" by appointment for essential needs. The donated items are all new, and are set out just like a store, organized into clothes, baby items, gifts, books, and toys, so they can look through what is available and choose for themselves what they would like with the help of a personal shopper. There are a lot of donations to manage and I was quite overwhelmed by the sheer volume. They do a great job of dealing with everything considering donations are fairly random, meaning that those who donate are choosing what is coming into the warehouse. So it’s a big job to keep sorting through everything and then make sure it’s displayed in a way that makes sense and provides a positive experience.

A few weeks ago, I read an article about a man that worked at a charity like Goodwill and they explained how they often would see people that couldn’t afford to purchase even these used items. They told a story of one young teen that came in during the winter with only a sweater on, looking for a coat. The teen tried on a really nice warm coat, zipped it up, but then saw the tag saying $25 and quickly put it back and turned to walk out. The worker went over and grabbed the coat, then turned to call to the teen, “Hey, the zipper on this coat is broken and the store has a policy that we have to throw it out. But it would be a shame because it's in great shape so if you want it, I’ll discount it for $3. Do you want to buy it?” The teen was aware he was lying, but said sure, paid the money and left very happy. The point of the story was that most people don’t want charity, they want to be able to buy the things they need because there is a sense of dignity that goes with providing for yourself.

As I was working in the warehouse, I kept thinking about this story and how I wanted to make sure that the people “shopping” there were afforded a sense of dignity even if they weren’t paying for what they chose. Just the act of being in an atmosphere that mimics a store, is the next best thing in my mind to ensure that every person that passes through, feels they are viewed with respect and dignity. I also realized that what most families were asking for were the basics, like a warm coat, pajamas, sheets and blankets, and gift cards for groceries and gas. They aren’t interested as much in all the gadgets and tech. They just need what you and I take for granted every day. They are working families and immigrants looking to find security in a place I feel is very generous and welcoming. 

So as I continue to help during the season, I’m keeping in mind those little things that can create an experience that communicates we are one community. Sharing our abundance is about building that community for everyone to feel they are valued and deserve abundance in their lives too. This is probably the best Christmas I will have had to date because, given all the division and hate going on in the world right now, I know I’m using my talents to contribute to making someone else’s life just a little better, and spreading some love and kindness along the way. I am so grateful to the many great organizers and volunteers at Made by Momma for sharing their passion and vision, and allowing me to participate and give back with dignity.