with guest Andy Harrington of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank The hunger crisis—it’s in the news a lot these days. Food prices have gone up every year since 2019. 1 in 4 are food insecure. Over 800 million go to bed hungry. 45% of child deaths globally were hunger-related. But why is hunger rising at such an alarming rate? And, in the face of such overwhelming need, can you and I really make a difference? In this episode, Andy Harrington, Executive Director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, sheds...

with guest Amos Manirakiza of Food for the Hungry Burundi Do you remember when you learned to read? That excitement as new worlds and stories opened up to you? Literacy is a skill that affects every aspect of life. From traffic signs to job opportunities to even reading this podcast description! Your life would probably look pretty different if you hadn’t learned to read as a kid. But for too many children in Burundi, a future of illiteracy is an all-too-common reality. In this episode,...

with guest Randall Bear, from Nadleh Whut’en, Dakelh nation, of the Duntem’yoo Bear clan. How is your story rooted in the place—the land—you call home? If you’ve been displaced from that place, is that another facet of poverty? Randall Bear Barnetson, an Indigenous artist from Nadleh Whut’en in Northern BC who now resides in Vancouver, shares his personal experience with poverty—not poverty from a lack of possessions, but as a result in not living on the land he’s from. He shares about the...

with guest Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation. Have you ever stared at rows upon rows of products on the grocery store shelf and felt paralyzed by the options? Don’t they all do pretty much the same thing? Some could argue the same thing is happening in the charity world, where services may be duplicated because nonprofits are doing the same work, sometimes even right down the road from one another. In this episode, Peter Roebbelen, President of the Charis Foundation,...

with guest Andrea Soberg, Business Professor at Trinity Western University. When it comes to work, we all want to be valued for who we are and for what we bring to the table. You’d never want our potential to be out-weighed by stereotypes or inconveniences before even being given a chance. Yet, when it comes to hiring a woman, all-too-often potential employers first see the challenges rather than the unique expertise and passions she may bring to a role. Andrea Soberg from Trinity Western...

with guest Kadee Smedley of Covenant House Vancouver Consider the people in your life and where they come from— we don’t all get an equal “start”, do we? For too many youth in homelessness, the lack of a safe home, square meal, and warm bed rob them of mental health and personal belief in their future. Our teen and young adult years play a big role in the opportunities we have and how we achieve our goals. Kadee Smedley, ordained minister and spiritual care practitioner at Covenant House...

with guest Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada You have to admit— you can’t always do things on your own. Whether it’s a neighbour to hold the ladder, a friend to drive us to the airport, or a shoulder to lean on for comfort, we all need the support of our community. So why is it that organizations all-too-often view each other as competitors instead of allies? Join Jenny Stoecker, Senior Program Officer at Food for the Hungry Canada, as she highlights how...

with guest Kevin McKay, Director of Business Partnerships at Food for the Hungry Canada How do businesses and poverty alleviation intersect? What do we really mean when we say entrepreneurs are “uniquely equipped to tackle poverty”? Kevin McKay, Director of Business Partnerships at FH Canada, unpacks these ideas as he challenges us to see beyond the all-important bottom line to the opportunities business owners have for redemptive work—work that lets us all join in the renewal of all...

with guest Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology. How does looking back at Canada’s history with Indigenous Peoples inform how to participate today in reconciliation? And what is the role of faith in this conversation when so much hurt was endured in the name of the Church?  Reverend Dr. Ray Aldred, Director of the Indigenous Studies at the Vancouver School of Theology, reminds us that reconciliation is a process, not a one-time event. He...

with guest Patrick Elaschuk. Why is it that the best conversations happen around a meal? At one time or another, we’ve all (hopefully) been warmly welcomed into a home to not only eat great food, but also have a good chat—and join in community. But for immigrants and refugees who have just arrived in Canada, finding community and much needed support through relationships is no easy task. Being the “new neighbour” is really hard. Patrick Elaschuk, the Global Pastor at Tenth Church in...

with guest Joseph Lauren of Restorative Justice Housing Ontario We’ve all been given a second chance at some point, one that probably had a hefty positive impact on our lives. Yet when it comes to former prison inmates, our society often hesitates to offer up second chances. With the chants of “Yes, but not in my backyard” opinions colouring society, how can ex-offenders with a criminal record find healthy housing or jobs? And without a roof over their head or a steady paycheck, how can they...

With guest Ingrid Delgado of Food for the Hungry Guatemala. It’s hard to imagine dealing with a natural disaster, especially during a pandemic. In late 2020, Guatemala faced two devastating back-to-back hurricanes. Two years later, families are still recovering and dealing with the multi-layered challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. When communities needed one another the most, they were told to distance themselves. It’s not hard to see why people’s mental health suffered. Ingrid...

with guest Bruce Taylor of Enviro-Stewards. It can be difficult to think beyond today’s to-do list and budget. Yet, when it comes to your business having big environmental and social impacts, seeing beyond the immediate is crucial—for the health of the planet and for your business. Bruce Taylor of Enviro-Stewards shares creative, innovative ways for companies to see beyond the quick fixes and move toward becoming carbon neutral, energy efficient, and responsible with water—all without...

with guest Hieke Morton of Gathering Markit. Have you ever heard of a meal kit doing more than offering convenience, but actually changing a life? In this episode, we’re talking about more than just a particularly delicious recipe with its pre-ordered box of fresh ingredients. We’re talking with red seal chef Hieke Morton, who has started a new spin on food banks with Gathering Markit, a non-profit grocery store offering meal kits, a fresh cup of coffee, and a safe place. Hieke shares how...

with guest Matt Miles of the Jesus Collective. In the 1950s, simply living in North America typically meant having some understanding of Christianity—or at least a passing familiarity with a few Bible stories. As the decades have spun on and society has grown more secular, this sort of ‘cultural Christianity’ is starting to fade away, but is that necessarily a bad thing? In this episode, Matt Miles, Executive Director of Jesus Collective, takes on hard-hitting questions about how things have...

with guest Hyun Ju Jang of Korea Food for Hungry International. In February 2022, the world reeled as Russia invaded Ukraine and triggered a massive humanitarian crisis. Eight million people have been displaced, fleeing their homes and seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. In this episode, Hyun Ju Jang of Korea Food for Hungry International, an organization that has been working in Ukraine for years, offers a behind the scenes look at relief efforts. Jang takes us through the nuances of...

with guest Brian McConaghy of Ratanak International. Each year in Cambodia, thousands of young people are human trafficked and exploited—forced into the sex trade, sold to be basically slaves, and worse. Is it possible to stop this, to ultimately break this cycle of abuse? And let’s consider each survivor’s dignity; when someone has been treated without it for so long, living in such trauma, are they still ’to die for’ in the eyes of God? Brian McConaghy, Founding Director of Ratanak...

with guest Stu Minshew CFO of Utilisouth, Inc. and co-owner of Living Stones Solutions Let’s face it, our current work climate isn’t exactly accessible to those on the margins. Previous experience, access to technology, networking opportunities, these are all privileges that elevate certain populations while continuing to oppress the vulnerable. How can people within organizations, both leaders and workers alike, redefine their culture to not only welcome those on the margins as valuable...

with special guest Angie Peters from Yonge Street Mission. With each passing day, the income gap grows wider and wider. Business executives get richer, while their entry level employees are forced to use food banks. Timely medical care is accessible to those who can pay while others struggle on waitlists or skip filling a prescription. Fewer and fewer couples can afford their own home. Is this really the world we dreamed of? If so many people are being pushed to the margins, then, as a...

with special guest Tanya Prinsep from Advisors with Purpose. For most of us, writing a will is confusing, intimidating, and even frustrating necessity.. But what if we viewed these crucial documents and decisions in a different light—what if your will could act as a way for you to make statements about what is important to you and about the legacy you can leave? In this episode, Tanya Prinsep from Advisors with Purpose, speaks candidly about the joys of living generously—not just financially,...

with guest Henok Girma of Food for the Hungry Ethiopia. It may be shocking to hear that, in some communities around the world, the practice of female genital mutilation continues to be commonplace. This is a sensitive and difficult topic, and we’re honoured to welcome Henok Girma from Food for the Hungry Ethiopia to share his experience working in communities and regions that keep to this tradition. Henok dives into the history of female genital mutilation, as well as the root causes that...

with guest Allison Alley of Compassion Canada and Edouard Lassegue of Compassion International. Over the past decade, Haiti has been rocked by numerous natural disasters—earthquakes, hurricanes, drought, and more. The people of Haiti have time and again proven their resilience as they rebuild, but it raises the question, how best can the global community support them? What does it look like for organizations to respond urgently to an emergency, while still investing in long-term development?...

with guest Carl Goosen of Fraser Valley Gleaners. When you pick up a vegetable in the supermarket, it’s usually shiny and crisp, a treat for the eyes as well as the stomach! But what happens to all those veggies that may not look perfect, but are still perfectly edible? Here’s an organization that saves that healthy veg from being composted and puts it on the menu as a life-saving entrée. For over 20 years, Gleaners societies have been making and packing millions of servings of dried soup mix...

with guest Michael Prins of Food for the Hungry Canada. It’s the time of year where charity Christmas gift catalogues find their way to your mailboxes and inboxes—but how do these practical, and hopefully meaningful, shopping options actually work? When you buy a pig for your mom, will a piglet wearing a red bow arrive on her doorstep Christmas morning? What happens to a community in Burundi if somebody suddenly donates 5,000 goats? In this episode of the Ending Poverty Together Podcast, Mike...

with guest David Harlley of Third Way Capital. What is the responsibility of a business? Is it solely to make a profit, as economist Milton Friedman suggested in the seventies? Or is there more nuance to how businesses can interact with society, culture, and even poverty? In this episode, David Harlley, CEO of Third Way Capital, dives deep into the idea of “impact investing”. If you’re not familiar with that term, don’t worry! It only hit the mainstream a few years ago. David breaks the...