Gift card distribution sputters

Hundreds lined up at 15 Ontario Works locations across Toronto Thursday. They were waiting in the cold for a free grocery gift card as a partial reimbursement for food spoiled during the ice storm. $75-thousand was shelled out. But many still left empty handed.

“There are no more cards. First come first served” “There are no more cards right now”

This is what hundreds of people who lined up to receive a grocery gift card heard Thursday morning after waiting for hours at one Ontario Works location in Toronto.

The grocery cards are meant to compensate those who lost food after the recent vicious ice storm.

“I bet you I lost almost $300. Plus my Christmas turkey”

“We lost everything, our freezer full. Our fridge, everything”

“You’ve got Kraft Dinner. Can’t live off of Kraft Dinner and canned tuna, it’s not gonna happen”

Distribution started on tuesday and organizers admit it was a huge mess.

Debbie swales: “I tried to come get in but the lineup was so far back, my husband and I, we went home, (it was just too much right)”

Government officials including Premier Kathleen Wynne said today would be different. But Larry Newman, who was turned away on Tuesday and again today, saw no change.
“Thursday everything would be fine. Would not happen again. Come here at 7:30. An exact repeat of Tuesday.”

Families are eligible for the $100 cards and individuals the $50 amount, but demand far outweighs supply and the disorganization is frustrating many.

Marie: “Theyre telling us to be here since 7 o’clock and an hour later theres no cards no nothing. So how is that gonna help anybody?”

Carol: “At least people are being kind enough to donate, but on the other hand its so disorganized”

Debbie Swales: “I’m so glad this is over with, I’m so tired”

Those turned away can come back Friday morning. But right now only Torontonians are eligible. That doesn’t sit well with David Mohammed who did receive compensation: “Im one of the lucky ones, theyre saying only the people from toronto can geting these cards. there are people from pickering, etc, who are here and were turned away.”

A total of $ 235 000 has now been given out in gift cards. the province says they will be distributed to other municipalities in the coming days. but we are still don’t have many details.

When I contacted the city of Hamilton, they said they anticpate Hamiltonians receiving compensation, but again no specifics.

What they did say is they are in contact with the province’s emergency mangement office and they will release info as they get them.

The province is matching corporate donations. But the real problem here is there just isn’t going to be enough to go around.