HELLO!

It was a very busy day at Woodlawn today. The only non-church thing I did between 9 am and 9 pm was spending an hour at a local foodbank that has placed ten small tables with chairs in the middle of their space. Guests/clients arrive and receive a number. They then sit at these tables and wait for their number to be called. There is another section of the hall dedicated to the food, where the guests/clients enter, choosing a specific number of each item, they get to select what they want in the quantity allotted by the foodbank. Because this is the month foodbanks are doing a deep dive into client needs (no names given), information that will assist Canada Health in its policies on food sustainability, the wait times for clients/guests to sit is longer than usual. The foodbank wants the volunteers to be more comfortable with conversations.

When I asked the coordinator if she wanted me to offer a workshop on these skills, she opted instead to have me come early, introduce myself to the volunteers and then move around the tables, talking to the guests/clients and offering an example, so the volunteers could see for themselves. It was an interesting way for the volunteers to gain insight, no instructions, just “do it” and let others decide what they might take from what they see. It was a little strange to move from table to table, talking with persons for the first time, knowing 10 people were watching and listening to me. But shyness has never been an obstacle for me.

Everyone approaches conversations differently. I know many people like to sit and listen and let the conversation come to them. That can work. Although I know for a fact many people find someone sitting in front of them, silent, somewhat unnerving. I like to ask open-ended questions, like “how is your day so far…” and “I am a navigator who helps people find things they are looking for in the community, is there anything I might assist you in finding…” Time and again these questions often bring answers like “I am not feeling well today” or “today is actually a good day”. Also, “I am looking for a part-time job, but I don’t know where to start…it’s been a while since I was in the job market” or “I am new to this area, I am looking for a place to meet people”. Often people recognize me from another foodbank where I meet guests/clients. One woman today reminded me I once helped her daughter find mental health supports. That made my day. There are people who just don’t want to talk, and I always respect that. But the initial offer is made, I may not smile a lot (that can feel a little creepy) and I usually keep some physical distance (I want people to feel comfortable), but I am authentically interested in others, and it shows when I meet them a second time and I remember some of what they shared the first time. I love conversations.

That hour was a meaningful time for me. I hope it was for others as well.

Peace, Kevin