Shopping with Dignity

18 October 2019

Rebecca Cox

Many in our community face the disadvantage of not having the resources to stretch across all their needs. This can lead to having to choose between which bills they pay or what meals they and their families eat. One of the results of this is that our community start to feel isolated and worthless as they struggle to participate in things many of us don’t even think about, such as shopping at a grocery store. Through providing a small foodmarket that, at a low cost sells groceries and household needs, Streetlevel is looking to tackle these limitations and feelings in our community.

We do it in a couple of different ways. First we look to what we provide in the market and how it is presented. We source as many different products as possible and make sure these products are clearly presented so that variety and price can be understood. We want, as much as possible, for people to have a normal grocery shopping experience.

We also work very hard to communicate, to all community members who use the foodmarket, that they are valuable and respected. Our volunteers are essential to how we communicate this. They do this in every interaction they have by being patient and kind, knowing people’s names and making sure to listen.

By small efforts on our part, in letting people know that that we see them and we respect and value them and their contributions, we can make a big difference in how people view themselves and their community.