Real food for thought around the holidays

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This article was published 18/12/2024 (630 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: While I was waiting in line to pay for my groceries, I noticed a commotion at the front doors. A security guard was trying to stop a shoplifter who had a cart full of groceries.

During the struggle, the shoplifter’s COVID mask/disguise slipped down and revealed his face and I recognized the thief. It was my neighbour — a married man who has two little kids. He didn’t see me, but I knew it was him. He managed to break free and run off into the night.

I know things have been tough for this family and I’m afraid for them. I want to tell the dad I witnessed him stealing and he could be charged. But it certainly looked like he was stealing to feed his family, not to resell. What should I do?

— Upset Neighbour, Winnipeg

Dear Upset Neighbour: You don’t need to lecture this neighbour, as he will be aware of what he risked to feed his family and he will be embarrassed you witnessed it.

Instead, why not help him? Research every place this desperate dad could get free food assistance for his family.

Start by checking out Harvest Manitoba (harvestmanitoba.ca), which offers food-bank distribution throughout the city. Also, read through its “Need Food?” section on its website which offers detailed information. Print it out for your neighbour with a note saying you just wanted to help.

Also list other Winnipeg food-assistance organizations — and the Christmas Cheer Board (christmascheerboard.ca) — along with contact info. Then research places of worship in your area for their aid programs, addressing needs such as food, clothing and toys and sometimes even work opportunities.

Put all the info into your neighbour’s mailbox and sign your name along with your address and contact info. (Nobody wants a spooky, unsigned letter.)

What this family may really need most is help finding a job for the dad and/or his wife. So, visit them a couple days later and ask what kinds of work they’ve done or are willing to do, and then help them with contacts you might have. They might be too embarrassed to let you in, but try anyway.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My so-called baking friends have an annual holiday cookie exchange. Each person has to bake 12 dozen of one kind of holiday cookie. We put one dozen in each decorated box, and then exchange them at a party, taking home 12 different types of cookies.

It’s great for people who can bake, but I cannot. So each year I’ve looked for ads for home bakers and placed a big order with them well before this hoity-toity event.

It turns out my secret got out somehow.

Then the head honcho (the Cookie Monster) told me not to come to the party anymore because she found out I cheated every year. What does it matter if I baked the darn cookies or if someone else made them? I’m so upset.

— Banned by the Monster, East Kildonan

Dear Banned: Don’t let the Cookie Monster get you down. Next Christmas, organize a smaller cookie exchange party at your place — for personal friends and relatives. People can bake or buy cookies anywhere they want, putting two dozen into a pretty box, no questions asked. It will be a much more relaxed party and with people you actually care about.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

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