The Lord’s Bounty Food Bank is well on the way to opening up its new location on Hiawatha Avenue – but they’re still in need of volunteers.
Drivers are needed to transport food to the new location, located in the former St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, every Tuesday morning.
“We are desperately short on volunteer drivers,” said Dennis Hydamaka, food distribution chairman. “We need some individuals with a van or a truck who can go every Tuesday to pick up food from the local grocery stores.”
The announcement came at the food bank’s annual general meeting, held at the current food bank location at Burkee’s Sports Lounge.
The need for drivers was one of few setbacks encountered by the food bank’s board, which received more than $80,000 in total intake last year.
“That’s probably what we collected in the first 25 years,” said Hydamaka.
Most of the money received by the food bank went toward moving into and renovating the new location, which members estimate will be open and fully functional by mid November.
The food bank received support from several sources, including companies, individuals and government, after a fire last fall gutted their previous location.
A total of $62,000 was devoted to buying and renovating the new site.
Food bank executive members have big plans for the new building, including cooking classes in a brand-new test kitchen. A garden located on the building’s site will provide the food bank with fresh produce.
In previous years, the food bank maintained a garden near the United Church to serve a similar purpose.
“It was trashed,” said Hydamaka. “Quads went through. Now there are great big boulders that were placed there to keep the quads out.”
In addition to the garden and kitchen, members proposed holding information sessions and clinics to further assist food bank users.
“You’d be shocked at how many clients come in and have no ID. No health card, no [status] card if they’re Indigenous, no driver’s license, nothing,” said vice-chair Alison Dallas.
Dallas proposed holding ID clinics at the food bank, as well as information sessions on taxes and budgeting.
“Our idea is, if people start to help themselves, it’s a small success that will build their confidence,” she said.
Food bank members also discussed the differences between existing food bank programming and food banks elsewhere. Unlike other food banks across Canada, Lord’s Bounty is able to buy and distribute fresh produce and meat, as well as allow those in dire need to visit multiple times per month.
“Other food banks only give what they get. They never go and purchase anything. We operate on a tight budget, so we’re fortunate enough that we can purchase specific things,” said Dallas.
“If all they have is carrots and peas, that’s what you’re getting,” she added.
“The most desperate clients are allowed to come once a week. We have clients with an annual income of less than $10,000. That’s why we let them come more often.”
