Community Matters — Touchstone Family Association
As we celebrate our relatively new holiday “Family Day”, it serves as a reminder for all of us to honour our families, regardless of what defines the word “family.”
Even though family diversity is as prevalent in our communities as culture is, what tends to commonly bond our family groups is the act of ‘eating together’ traditions and occasions.
I, myself, hold many fond memories of our Sunday night family dinner table and the expected food fights that came with them, to the dismay (yet I think, hidden delight to have us all together) of our mother.
These once a week family ‘food fights’ also prompt memories of many discussions around the family table.
Of course, like any family, sometimes we had cause to celebrate, and other times were very challenging; dealing with conflict, disagreements, and financial stressors were common practice at our dinner table and unfortunately, we had to simply persevere on our own.
Community counselling support and much needed guidance were foreign concepts then, and access virtually impossible.
Oh how times have changed.
The demands on our time are large and often, at the direct expense of valued family time. Digital mediums have quickly replaced our once human connections, and this has quickly contributed to the overall ‘disconnect’ we experience with each other and in our families.
Not only are the ‘Sunday night dinners’ a thing of the past, but the simple nurturance of sharing food together is commonly obsolete in many families’ daily lives.
Touchstone Family Association wishes to encourage and reinforce, both how we connect with each other with food, while at the same time, making Richmond families aware of low barrier access to counselling support services through the Front Porch Project.
In an effort to emphasize the importance of sharing a meal with family and community, Touchstone Family Association and Richmond Family Place will be hosting a FREE Pancake Breakfast, in support of the “Eating Together Campaign” and the Front Porch Project.
If you would be interested in helping us support a family we would be delighted to hear from you. Information is available on our website www.touchfam.ca or call 604-279-5599.
Article written by Carol Hardie,
Program Director
Pancake Breakfast
FREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST COOKED BY
RICHMOND FIREFIGHTERS
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015
DEBECK ELEMENTARY
8600 Ash Street, Richmond
10 am—11:30 am
Fire truck and firefighters will be on hand to show kids the trucks. Arts & Crafts, sponsored by Richmond Children First, and story time are just a few of the activities happening next door at Richmond Family Place.
Please come out and join us for this fun filled morning full of good food and fun for the whole family.
For more information please contact:
Janice Kostiuk at 604-279-5599.
Question:
What can you do to promote health and well-being in
your family?
Pancake Breakfast Generously Sponsored by:
One important thing, which has been clinically proven to be a major contributor in achieving positive family environment is to commit to eating together. We celebrate Family Day in February, so we suggest that you encourage your family to eat together as often as possible and after that at least once a week during the whole year!
