Cape Dorset (Oct 11/04) - Cape Dorset residents committed to ending hunger and homelessness in their community held a feast on Sunday to launch the Harvest Society.

Last year a team of social workers from Cape Dorset decided they wanted to do more for the hungry people who were coming to their office in ever larger numbers.

"There were more people coming to us for food," said Michel Petit, social work director for the hamlet of Cape Dorset.

"There is a lot of money that flows into Cape Dorset. From art, carvings. We sell a lot of carvings and prints here," said Petit. "But a lot of money doesn't mean everyone has money. People are still going hungry."

The workers talked to elders and youth about starting a group called The Harvest Society to streamline social services, secure funding for community events and to help provide important training programs to get people on their feet again.

Cape Dorset residents felt it was the right time and embraced the idea, said Ningiukulu Teevee.

Hunger is a problem in Cape Dorset said Teevee, an income support worker in the town. Born and raised in Cape Dorset, Teevee said she has seen many changes.

"There are not many jobs to go around," she said. Cape Dorset residents feel the housing crisis, too.

The Harvest Society will give social workers and community members a chance to meet at least once a month, hoping to draw attention to the issues of hunger and homelessness, she said.

On Oct. 10, the Harvest Society, which is still awaiting official societal status, held its first ever event, a community feast with freshly caught caribou, char and muktuk, donated by people from Qikiqtarjuaq.

"We've had community feasts before," said Teevee. "But this is going to help on a deeper level."

"I feel it's important for the community to come out to the feast. We can share food," Teevee continued.

"It's always been like that with Inuit."

Teevee also hopes the $12,000 in funding the group recently received from the National Homeless Initiative will allow them to keep the food bank going, organize events and fundraisers and even offer courses to people who are struggling.