It was an offer Althea Guiboche hoped could not be refused.
“It would have been nice for them to come out,” said Guiboche, also know as the Bannock Lady.
After controversial comments were made by Gord Steeves’ wife Lorrie, Guiboche invited the couple to serve food to the city’s less fortunate Sunday afternoon, but the pair were no-shows.
“It is up to them if they want to change their perspective open their eyes to the reality and quite relying on the stereotypes that we have been raised to believe,” said Guiboche, who admits she wasn’t surprised the Steeves family did not come.
The offer came after a Facebook post by Lorrie four years ago made the rounds on social media Friday.
In a status update she wrote she is “really tired of getting harassed by the drunken native guys in the skywalks. We need to get these people educated so they can go make their own damn money instead of hanging out harrassing (sic) the honest people who are grinding away working hard for their money. We all donate enough money to the government to keep thier (sic) sorry asses on welfare, so shut the f**k up and don’t ask me for another handout!”
Lorrie has since sent out statement in an email to media that read “In 2010 while I was working downtown I was regularly harassed for money and often put in a position where I feared for my safety. One day in particular 4 years ago was very bad and out of frustration I vented on my personal Facebook page. I feel terrible about these comments. I am terribly sorry and I apologize. I do not clear my Facebook posts or status updates with my husband.”
Guiboche wanted the Steeves family to take the apology a step further.
“Actions speak louder than words,” she said.
For nearly two years Guiboche has volunteered her time to make, collect and hand out food to the city’s less fortunate. This Sunday around 150 people were served with bannock, pizza, salad, fresh fruit and bottled water.
Guiboche says her invitation to Gord and Lorrie is still open to come down to the corner of Dufferin Avenue and Main Street any Sunday at 3 p.m.
“Once they feel, maybe they are ready, that would be lovely,” she said.
Gord Steeves hasn’t responded to repeated interview requests however he is expected to break his silence later this week. His campaign office sent an email to media Sunday saying there would be an event with Steeves on Tuesday. Where, what time and what Steeves will say is not known.
Comments