Big push for Ste Anne food bank

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This article was published 25/03/2015 (3319 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The clock is ticking loudly for organizers of the food bank in Ste Anne. Chairperson Aurele Boisvert presented the committee’s plan Tuesday evening to Ste Anne town council with a request to have the town cover half the renovation costs necessary prior to the anticipated opening date at the start of May.

An agreement has been signed with the Knights of Columbus to allow for 500 square feet of garage space to be rented at no cost to the food bank. The organizers are now looking for funds to pay for the renovations that have been estimated at $12,000 with a lot of volunteer work being added to the project.

The Accueil Kateri Centre will supply food hampers every two weeks to families in need who are living in the town or municipality of Ste Anne. Boisvert anticipates the number to be around 30, with half of the families coming from the town.

He also asked town council to consider financially supporting the operations of the food bank, expected to run up to $300 per month.

“We’re willing to help,” said Mayor Richard Pelletier. “I’m sure you’ll manage very well; you sound very well organized.” Although council did not make a firm decision on assisting the food bank, the request will be discussed prior to finalizing the budget for this year.

The RM of Ste Anne council met last night and Reeve Art Bergmann confirmed that the agenda would include a presentation from the food bank where it was expected that Boisvert would be seeking similar financial support.

“If everybody pitches in, we can do it,” Boisvert told Ste Anne town council on Tuesday.

He is also looking for partners to aid in providing much needed appliances. Boisvert learned earlier this week that a previous offer to provide a refrigerator and three upright freezers was pulled, leaving the food bank with little time to find new donations.

With only another month before the planned official opening, Boisvert and his committee are pushing hard to get everything together in time.

It appears the biggest challenges are for funding of the renovations and the appliances, however, the committee has repeatedly heard words of caution that it will be an ongoing challenge to keep shelves stocked with enough food to meet the need. In anticipation, he has lined up an outside support system that will help top up the local donations.

Area food banks and Winnipeg Harvest are on that support list. Southern Health has also provided support that will be focused on the creation and growth of community gardens in Ste Anne as well as Richer.