The following is a list of the Guiding Principles.
1. TransparencyEmergency food services in Guelph-Wellington maintain objective, public criteria for determining eligibility that are based on a transparent process. We are committed to open, transparent dialogue about our eligibility with all community partners, including clients.
2. DignityAnyone who approaches emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington for support will be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity. We are committed to applying our eligibility criteria in a way that does not stigmatize people, so that we may build relationships with clients based on trust.
3. PrivacyEmergency food services in Guelph-Wellington respect the privacy of our clients and will not collect more information than will actually be used to process clients requests for support and will avoid intrusive questions.
4. Empathy Emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington are committed to demonstrating empathy when determining and applying eligibility criteria. This requires an understanding of the following considerations:
- One's own experience is not the same as someone else's, and therefore we need to understand the unique components of a person's life.
- We must refrain from judgement, as empathy does not place a value on what is right or wrong.
- We must consider all the environmental or societal factors that have an impact on a person's living circumstances.
Emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington are committed to demonstrating a balanced approach to consistency and responsiveness within our organizations in a way we apply our eligibility criteria.
Emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, income source, age, or mental or physical ability.
Emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington are committed to eligibility criteria that enable a more equitable distribution of food to clients.
Emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington are committed to only collecting information that is required to process clients requests and will not allow proof of eligibility documentation to be a barrier or burden for clients to access our services.
Emergency food services in Guelph-Wellington are committed to our eligibility criteria being informed by a broader understanding of the socioeconomic environment and the reasons that people are food insecure.
