May 13, 2011 - Head Volunteer from the MEMFB formally known as OICS food bank turns away mother of two from food access. It was my second time going there in 4 months and I misplaced my registration card, to which she said it was a 5 dollar replacement fee. I indicated that I only had 15 dollars to last me until the end of the month and she said it goes to charity, so i asked if i could donate money at a later date when I got back on my feet and she said no. I asked if I could have a written receipt and she said no. I told her that it was my child's birthday today and I just wanted to make kraft dinner for him and she said, " 5 dollars, that is not my problem". So I gave her my 5 dollars out of 15 which was to last me until the end of the month.

I asked if this was a new policy because i did not see anything on their website or posted on the wall regarding a replacement fee for lost cards and she aggressively yelled at me saying that, "It was not my fault that i had children that i could not feed and she was tired of people like me abusing the system". She then threw my 5 dollars in my face and indicated that she would not serve me and I could starve. I told her that I would complain about her unprofessional behaviour and she said, "go ahead, complain to your MP"

Although, I have only been to a food bank once in my life in early 2011 to register. This was the second time. What an experience! I do not appreciate being accused of abusing the system, if I have only been there once in my life. I was in tears at this experience and thought that food banks were a place to go when you are in need, apparently not if the volunteer is disgruntled. I also am deeply offended that she would personally take a low blow at me for having children to feed. This was only because I was on maternity leave, that I was at my lowest.

I am urging people to help by joining in my complaint as this behaviour is unacceptable and people when they are at their lowest point in their life or in need they should not starve, nobody should starve, I thought this was Canada? Is this what I pay my taxes for? So, when I am at my lowest point, someone from a non-profit organization could reject me and send me and my child home to starve?

Malton Food Bank needs to hire volunteers with empathy, not predjudiced angry ones.