Food bank changes location, model

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This article was published 21/08/2023 (626 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Niverville Helping Hands has moved into a new space and has changed its model for how it hands out food by moving away from prepackaged hampers to a shopping method.

“We wanted to change our model from packing 60 hampers for people that come to shop for their own hampers and this space allows us to do that. We can spread out, have many families in here at one time. We still have storage room and that stuff for our overflow,” said board chair Larissa Sandulak.

Helping Hands moved from their former location at the Niverville Community Fellowship Church to 101-106 Main Street about a month ago. Since the move, the new model for food distribution has been generally well received by clients.

“We had our first launch day on Aug. 10 and overall feedback was great. People loved being able to come and pack food that suits their family’s needs. Maybe they don’t want anymore soup – they’re good – so they don’t have any to put in their hampers. We’re going to see a lot less waste that way. People are only taking what they actually want to have,” said board secretary Alexandra Rezansoff.

Sandulak said allowing people to choose what they want also gives them empowerment.

Currently, the foodbank sees about 45 clients every two weeks, which is an increase from the 25 they saw in 2020. The number of clients they have fluctuates as seasonal workers get laid off and as inflation makes it harder for families to make ends meet.

“We have seen a bigger influx of new families. So, every month we’re receiving more and more new families. That has been a steady increase. We have quite a few large families with multiple kids so the amount of food we’re providing now is more. More people, more food,” said Sandulak.

According to Foodbanks Canada, 72 percent of those facing hunger for the first time in 2021 were families with kids. Further, 13 percent of those who use a food bank are employed and almost 44 percent are on social assistance. More than 16 percent had no income and 10 percent were on a pension.

Another reason for relocating was for more visibility and to practice their ministry.

“We’re not here to just shove a box of food in your face. What we were lacking in our old space just because of the volume is we didn’t have the same level of connection with our clients anymore. We were kind of handing out food and moving the crowd along. Now, with our new model it allows us to connect personally with everybody as they come to the door as they check out their hamper. We get to have a connection there.

“I think the overall ambiance of our ministry has returned. We really pride ourselves and we really care about the people that come here. We want to know them and we love to have the opportunity to talk with them, to offer support in some ways, sometimes we offer prayer if that’s something they’re open to. We’re really grateful for this new model that were trying out,” said Rezansoff.

Helping Hands is currently looking for donations as they now have to pay rent for their new space whereas the church gave them the space for free. Sandulak estimates they need $24,000 a year for rent and utilities. Right now, they have raised about 15 percent of what they need to stay open. The best way to give to the non-profit is by e-transfer to info@nivervillehelpinghands.org.