Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Mar 20/00) - The drive behind Inusiq Shoo's campaign to start a food bank in Iqaluit is to put food in people's houses, not just their stomachs.

Shoo has made an open call to the public in an attempt to generate interest in setting up a food bank.

"There are a lot of people who are always hungry and many don't have jobs, but have families and kids and grandchildren to support too -- I think there are a lot of people in this situation," said Shoo.

Shoo wants to hold a public meeting to discuss the particulars of establishing a food bank in the capital.

"I want to see how many people are interested in starting a food bank and then discuss how it would be operated and how often, all of the basics," he said.

"I would also like to see country foods available."

Similarly, the executive director of the Oqota Emergency Shelter says he feels there is a need for a food bank, but it is critical that it is properly run.

"It has to be well structured and well run or else it can be abused," said Gordon Barnes.

"You don't want people spending all of their money on other things because they know they can rely on the food bank for their food.

"This is a problem that is common to many food banks."

Barnes said it is likely that within the first two or three months of operating a food bank, it will be easy to see how many people are abusing it.

"Often you find that the people who really need (the food bank) are too proud to go.

"I also think a money management course should go hand in hand with it and food has to be made a priority," he said.

Currently the John Howard Society operates a soup kitchen out of the Sailivik Centre in Iqaluit, serving breakfast, lunch and supper.

Between 15 and 20 kids eat breakfast at the centre every morning and another 20 to 30 show up for lunch.

The evening meal is reserved for adults only and on average, there are between 30 and 35 people taking in the free, hot meal every day.

As well, the local Hunters and Trappers Organization makes arrangements to supply country foods to those who can't make it out on the land.

Shoo recognizes that the John Howard Society is providing food to members of the community, but he says it isn't really enough.

"We need something that will put food in the houses, not just in the stomachs," he said.

Shoo will be putting posters on bulletin boards around town announcing when he plans on holding an initial meeting.