It happened again today. I had just got off the Canada Line in Yaletown and was rushing to get on a bus. They were there in front of me, lurking with their matching blue jerseys and clipboards canvassing for Greenpeace, Because I'm A Girl, Amnesty International, Take Your Pick... They were young and good looking. They are always young and good looking. The young man had already found someone to button-hole. The young woman grinned at me like a high class tart casing a potential sugar daddy and as I ran up to the bus door dragging two bags of groceries and a golf umbrella in my hands I vigorously shook my head, said no, and just noticed how quickly her bright young face fell and settled myself into the front seat trying not to feel like a cheap stingy jerk.
Ever since our right-leaning governments pulled the plug on funding for worthy global and local causes we have seen a proliferation of NGO's that have to struggle by hook or by crook to survive. Unable to easily access funding, while still having a job to do to make the world more equal, more just and more liveable, these groups have to scramble for funding. For more than a decade they have been hiring young telegenic street canvassers schilling the cause at starvation wages getting well-meaning and good hearted folks such as myself to sign up and donate our beer money to help campaign for women's rights, human rights, animal rights and environmental rights (I know, I know, women's rights ARE human rights and vice-versa, I know, I know, I know)
I have offered a variety of different responses to these young canvassers. The first time, I believe, was in 2003 or so. A young university student, likely working to pay for his text books and rent, was canvassing for Amnesty International, an organization I have admired and deeply respected and even worked for on occasion since I was eighteen. I stopped to chat when I learned he was with AI and told him about my own experiences writing letters to foreign dignities for the protection and vindication of human rights workers in developing countries. At first it was as though I had met an old friend and I was only too glad to share experiences with him. Something, however, felt off. He really wanted to cut to the chase and ask me to be a monthly sustainer. I was a little dumbfounded. I had never been canvassed like that on a sidewalk, except by panhandlers and I have become increasingly reluctant to give to beggars given how much of the money goes to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes and casinos. But this time the money would be going to an organization that wanted only to help and defend vulnerable people.
I truthfully replied that I was (and still am) on a low income and that even twenty dollars a month automatically withdrawn from my bank account was too much to ask for. (nobody, but nobody but me takes money from my bank account. Did you hear me the first time?) He was kind enough to give me an Amnesty International fridge magnet featuring the lit candle and to this day it adorns my fridge door. It holds up my bank machine receipts where I can always be up to date on my bank balance.
Truthfully, I am not as poor as I used to be, though I still earn far less than a living wage. Living in subsidized housing and being very good with money and indifferent about making small sacrifices I have now a generous bank balance, a savings account and the means to travel every year. The trade off is that I live like a monk with no real luxuries outside of my daily ration of budget semisweet chocolate chips. Otherwise, every nickel is accounted for. I also give money to the food bank every week when I shop at Safeway, and still sometimes to panhandlers, though not lately.
I do not want to slam these young canvassers. They work for very worthy causes at a thankless job for a pittance and I understand that very few last longer than a few months at this work. I also find it dreadful that these noble organizations have had to stoop to the guilt racket in order to stay afloat. But I still highly resent being canvassed on the sidewalk, being smiled at in such a sweet and friendly manner by someone who wants only my money, friendship be damned.
I am not a walking bag of money. I can barely survive on what I earn, and if I had a car and ate out in restaurants and went to bars, clubs, movies and concerts I wouldn't have anything for travelling. I feel badly for you and for all those who need your help. Please understand that I am not able to help you. Not with money. Maybe we can find another way.
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