RANKIN INLET
The Ikurrak (giving a hand up) Food Bank is back on solid footing after surviving a tough year in Rankin Inlet.
Mary Fredlund shows two examples of the wide variety of items available for purchase at deeplydiscounted prices at the Ikurrak Food Bank's Deacon's Cupboard in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The food bank, which began in the mid-1990s, has had its share of break-ins over the years, with the most recent being this past Christmas.
Mary Fredlund oversees Ikurrak and said the theft put a damper on Susan Aglukark's food contribution through the Arctic Rose project, which the thieves helped themselves to. The program had brought 150 kilograms of food to the community in December.
She said it took awhile to get the operation back on its feet but both the food bank and the Deacon's Cupboard store are doing well, once again.
"Our shelves are full, thanks to food we received from Helping Our Northern Neighbours," said Fredlund.
"And we take pride in the fact people donate things to the store for us to sell cheap.
"We sell lots because we get lots, and we use that money to buy food.
"We can't often provide any of the extras people would like to see, but we certainly provide the basics of a breakfast, one or two lunches and a supper."
The Ikurrak Food Bank is open every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., while the Deacon's Cupboard is open most Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
The food bank and Deacon's Cupboard also have a Facebook page where people can find notices and hours of operation.
Fredlund said it's an ongoing struggle to keep up with the demand in Rankin which has almost doubled during the past year.
She said it's tough for many people to put food on the table because it's so expensive to eat in Nunavut.
"This winter has been quite cold, so, maybe, hunters in some families haven't been getting out as much.
"Mostly, families are struggling because groceries are going up but wages really aren't and income support isn't going to go up a lot."
The shelves at the food bank were filled to the maximum this past week.
But Fredlund said, with the exception of oatmeal, most of it will be gone this week.
She said the food bank will continue to rely on the generosity of the community going forward.
"People are very generous but, as in all things, sometimes they forget about us.
"People are extremely generous at Christmas, but, as the season goes on, they have other things to pay into.
"March and April are our two hardest months for having food donated which is why we really appreciate donations from groups like Helping Our Northern Neighbours.
"Our purpose is not to supplement people's income, but to help them put a little bit of food on the table until they get their paycheque."
