Perth food bank's new home a hit thanks to many volunteers

Posted Sep 22, 2011 By EMC News

EMC News - On July 4 the Perth and District Food bank opened the doors to clients at its permanent home at 190 Gore St. E. Situated on the lower floor of the newly renovated building the food bank started its new life at its new home with a new way of offering service to members of the community.

The Food Bank wanted to provide an emergency food service that many families desperately need in a way that offered respect, dignity, and choice to the clients seeking assistance. The Perth and District Food Bank recognizes their clients as valued neighbours with likes and dislikes, dietary restrictions, and religious and moral obligations that dictate what food is acceptable to them. Instead of the usual premade hamper awaiting clients coming in, the new food bank is set up to mirror a small grocery store setting. Clients are given grocery cards with points allotted in each section of the "store" depending on a household size. Clients can use these points however they wish to. For example a vegetarian may use his/her points in the protein section on beans and peanut butter and not use any points on items containing meat, or a client can use all of their points in the fridge section on milk and not take any eggs or margarine. This system is all about the client's right to choose the food that is most helpful to them at the time they visit the food bank.

So far the new system is a big hit with clients coming in, many remark that they appreciate having the choice to pick what items they need and that they feel like they are getting more food because the food they take is exactly what they require. Clients also remark on the change in atmosphere at the new location: the lay out is set up to make most of the space available to clients, the room is bright and fresh and the volunteers continue to be friendly and respectful.

Indeed the work put into setting up the Food Bank, and the rest of the new building was extensive and could not have been done without all the helpful hands who volunteered their time and efforts. The Food Bank was very fortunate to have a tremendous group of helpers show up to help move all of our stock, furniture, freezers, shelving and everything else to the new building. They put in two long days of work and the Food Bank wishes to recognize their effort and give thanks to: William Batoff, Ken and Dave Beach, Wendy Blythe, Suzanne Bullock, Phil Brackenbury, Janet and Allen Cain, Gerry Capelle, Brian Eardley, Barb Hewitt, Carolin Leuders, Lois McLean, Josh McPhee, Dave Percival, Lois and David Perreault, Hans Sinn, Ellen Waller, and Glenn and Janice Walker. It was wonderful to arrive at the new building and find it freshly painted and ready to move into. We would like to thank all the other volunteers who helped us prepare for the move in the months leading up to the big day. A huge thank you goes out to Ace Halladay from St. James Church Outreach and Edmond Larose for painting the building on their own time and doing a superb job.

While we are settled downstairs and providing emergency food to members of the community, upstairs the kitchen is coming together and plans are being made to introduce programs and meals in the new year. Visitors are welcome to come and visit the Food Bank at its new location and to have a peek at what is happening upstairs. A formal open house will be announced in the near future.

In preparation for upcoming activities the Food Bank is putting out a call for volunteers. We currently have a few positions open in the food bank: stocking shelves, running errands, assisting clients and cleaning and driving. In the new year we will require more volunteers for things like: cooking, food prep, serving meals, watching children, cleaning, working in the garden and much more. If you are interested in volunteering please contact the Food Bank at 613-267-6428 and keep an eye out for updates in the coming months in the paper, on Facebook and on our website at www.perthfood.com.

Submitted by the Perth and District Food Bank.