Janice M.

Meet Janice

This former banker is learning all about banking food and she’s been an absolute delight and a pleasure to work with. She understands that demand on the London Food Bank is sure to grow and wishes to play her part in helping us to cope. We’ll all need one another in the days ahead.

After interviewing the nicest number of people since the new year at The London Food Bank (LFB), I wonder… what do you do as a writer when you start running out of superlatives?

That challenge was put to the test when interviewing Janice Moore – dependably showing up Monday mornings for the past nine years. She asks how is it possible this place is so positive – even on a Monday morning! 

“They call it Stormy Monday but Tuesday's just as bad” 

by: T-Bone Walker

Janice seems like the kindest person, but the former banker is also grounded in reality. When asked about keeping volunteers, Janice doesn’t mince words: “People stay where they like the people and what they do.”

To me, she’s talking about authenticity: when you say and do what you believe.     

Janice says that she’s been involved with helping others – neighbours, school trips, kids’

 food programs – all her life. It’s how she’s been raised… laughingly saying. “It’s in my DNA!”  

Still, even though the vast majority of clients are grateful for the Food Bank, there are some who are “grumpy” and very critical… any day of the week!

According to Janice, in those rare cases, she has to calmly explain the rules and if they don’t like them, she also has a listing of other agencies they can call. It’s a matter of encouraging mutual respect because – at the other end of the spectrum – she’s seen grown men with tears in their eyes… embarrassed that they have to ask at all. That’s when we assure them that it’s okay; that’s  why we’re here.

As she looks toward the future, Janice sees that the public need for the LFB will grow dramatically. To help ward off future issues like inflation, she’s wondered about sharing recipes with young moms and/or new Canadians that give tips on how to stretch out meals: the strategic use of hamburger and the creative use of canned goods. Plus, microwave specific suggestions like boiled oatmeal – especially with social housing lacking stoves.  

“Everyone you know's been through it
You bite the bullet then you chew it”

The Only One by Roy Orbison https://youtu.be/TOnwP5RG690 (click link)

Most of us can recall how our grandparents toughed things out in times of war and recession. In fact, when I was a youngster, I remember despairing because my visiting grandmother promised she’d bake me a special cake, but we had no cake mix. She just smiled and said, “Don’t worry Freddie… we were making cakes long before ‘Betty Crocker!’  

Janice said that sometimes she’s noticed that a visiting family has a child with a birthday due. That’s when she would excitedly shout out that fact (as a signal) to the staff in the back. I can just see it now, as they would also include a cake or some special treat… making a big fuss over the child. 

Back “when”… mothers made due. And, it was simply the best times of our young lives. No matter our circumstances, someone really cared – just like today at the London Food Bank. 

  So, per her request, I picked an upbeat ‘70s-ish fun-type song I hope she appreciates.

Working 9-5 by Dolly Parton https://youtu.be/UbxUSsFXYo4 (click link)

“It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life putting money in his wallet”