Jackson spreading food for thought

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Many families in British Columbia, both Native and non-Native, are just a few missed paychecks away from hunger. Despite what some believe, hunger is not something that accompanies any one social group or region.

Breakfast for Learning (BFL), a Canadian Living Foundation program, and other national programs such as the Huron Carol, the Holiday Train and countless community-driven programs, raise awareness and try to end hunger.

The mission of BFL is to ensure that every child in Canada attends school well-nourished and ready to learn.

The July Rockin' The Rails tour was a Canadian Pacific Railway-sponsored BFL initiative that included such names such as Tom Jackson, Amanda Stott, Joan Kennedy, Valdi and Tracy and Randall Prescott.

"It came out in conversation between myself and Paul Clark (from CPR) who was on the Holiday Train (which travels from Montreal to Vancouver, picking up food and cash for the Canadian Association of Food Banks)," said Jackson.

"We started talking about how much we all enjoyed that experience, and said wouldn't it be nice to do something in the summer, when we could actually stage a lengthy concert. So we talked about it . . . and since CPR had just launched their association with Breakfast For Learning, we thought what a wonderful idea, we'll use that as part of the vehicle of making it known that BFL exists and that there is a relationship between CPR and them, as well as connect this with Canada Day celebrations in and around that weekend."

Then came the task of naming the tour, and CPR came up with Rockin' The Rails.

"(I was) 100 per cent in agreement with that," Jackson said.

"I phoned . . . the people who we had previously been involved with the Huron Carol and asked if they would be interested," he continued. "They all said yes."

Although donations were accepted during the Rockin' The Rails tour, which stopped in Cranbrook and Invermere as well as the Alberta towns of Blairmore, Canmore, Medicine Hat, Taber, High River and in Swift Current, Sask., the focus was to let people know BFL exists and what it does.

Although small towns may appear to have fewer problems with hunger, looks can be deceiving.

"I think there is more visibility of the problem in larger centres but of the places I have been, there has never been anywhere where there is no problem," said Jackson. "Hunger is a silent disease; it's not something you can hear or see necessarily, but it is out there.

"It is as important to feed the body as it is to feed the mind, and I think that people need to know that other people care. Knowing that you are willing to help is half the solution to the problem."

But being able to accept help is sometimes another story.

"Pride is a very healthy thing but it can be dangerous from time to time as well," said Jackson. "When it comes to children, we have to protect our future."

Studies have proved that children who go to school hungry have a harder time with their studies, have difficulty concentrating and are more prone to discipline problems than children who eat breakfast.

Jackson's name has become synonymous with the fight to end hunger in Canada. (His Huron Carol has raised $100 million in food and cash in 15 years.) There are few, if any, national programs to combat hunger that have not benefitted in some way from his dedication.

"You know what, it's a labor of love. I'm not quite positive of anything, let alone what drives me to do the work that I do, it's just what I do. It's my job in life. Other than believing in love and the power of love and how that can change lives, I don't know other than that why I do it." You can hear the smile in his voice as he explained his drive to end hunger.