Couple credits Winnipeg Harvest with changing their lives

Drew Hermkens and Rina Morris have about $50 in their bank account and they're not afraid to leave it there because nowadays, they knowthey won't spend it all on crack.

"I used to have to spend all my money as soon as I got it, becauseI was scared I'd go feed my addiction," Hermkens said. "But now I got it beat."

It's just one of the many life changes that Hermkens and Morrishave gone throughsinceCBC Manitoba met the couple about a year ago. And they credit it all to Winnipeg Harvest.

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"Things are going really, really good," Hermkens said. "Harvest it wasn't just the food, you know? It was, like, they really believed in us and gave us confidence."

It was, by all accounts, a combination of efforts.

Last year,Hermkensand Morrisknew they were close to rock bottom. They lived in a tent across the street from Winnipeg Harvest. Their health was failing, their teeth were rotting crack addiction will do that and their personal demons were thriving. ("Anger management" was an ongoing issue, Hermkens said.)

But then something kind of cool happened. David Northcott,Harvest's executive director,wandered over to their tent and introduced himself.He invited them toHarvest for food and access to a hot shower.

When they arrived, they got so much more than a healthy meal.

Through Harvest, they hooked up with some rehab programs.Then they learned about Harvest's in-house training programsand, with encouragement fromstaff, enrolled in everything from computer training to fork-lifting.

"Never, everfigured I'd know anything about computers," Hermkens said. "Didn't think that was in the cards for me."

Got married, found a home

But that was just the beginning. Newly clean and confident, they got married"That was really great,"Hermkens said found a low-income home to rent, and even adopted a pet golden retriever.

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"It doesn't cost as much to feed him as it did to get high," Hermkens said, laughing. "And he's a lot healthier for us."

Today, the couple spends their time volunteering at Harvest, continuing with their training programs and learning to live on a modest disability allowance.

"It's pretty easy when you cut out the drug addiction and the gambling," he said. "We actually have a bit of money at the end of the month."

And for the first time in a long time, they're making plans for the future. Hermkenswants to get his forklift licence. Morriswants to continue giving back to Harvest.

"We owe them a big thank you," saidHermkens. "Everything is really great."

Tune in to your favourite CBC Manitobashows today forHarvesting Hope, a day of music, stories and giving in support of Winnipeg Harvest.You can donate to Harvesting Hope online.

Join usfor musical performances by local artists and hear inspiring stories to usher in this season of giving. We're broadcasting all day Friday onCBC Radio One 89.3 FM / 990 AM andonCBC News:Winnipegon CBC Television.