Inuvik (Apr 21/06) - The homeless shelter in Inuvik received a large food donation from the Canadian Armed Forces last Friday.

Joanna Christie and other volunteers turn the kitchen of Turning Point, Inuvik's homeless shelter, into a hive of activity when it's time to serve food. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

The military had been in Inuvik for a week, and once they were done with their training exercise, they had a lot of left-over food.

Joanna Christie is the management co-ordinator for Turning Point, Inuvik's homeless shelter.

Christie said the donation was generous, and will go a long way in keeping the shelter's clients well-fed.

"We took as much of the food as we could store here, and gave the rest to the Anglican Church," said Christie.

Among the food donated were boxes full of fresh produce and vegetables, an estimated 500 pounds of potatoes, and various condiments that would have cost the shelter a lot of money.

More than 100 dozen eggs were also part of the donation, and easily filled the fridge to the brim.

"This really helps us out. This should last us more than two months," said Christie.

The shelter offers a warm bed and bathing facilities for those people in town with nowhere to sleep.

Christie said they let their clients sign in to the centre at 4:30 p.m., with a sign-out time of 10 a.m.

"We don't have enough staff to let them stay during the day," said Christie.

Programs are also offered in the evenings for the residents of the shelter.

A traditional ice-fishing hook course will soon be offered by Jeffry Amos and Marjorie Baetz.