Grocer boosts food bank's efforts
Group gives out special Thanksgiving food basket
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, November 16, 2015
IQALUIT
The Niginik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank and its clients are celebrating after the North West Company generously funded the group's special Thanksgiving food distribution.
The food bank operates with no territorial or federal funding, relying solely on corporate and personal donations. Stephan Wallick, left, and Zoya Martin hope the North West Company's donation starts a new trend by grocers. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
"It's the first time that I know of in the last five years at least that there's been a really big donation like that from one of the grocers," said board member Zoya Martin.
Personal and corporate donations
Without territorial or federal funding, the food bank relies entirely on personal and corporate donations to fund its roughly $80,000 annual budget. Ninety-eight per cent of that money goes to purchasing food, which usually comes as non-perishable staples in bulk via sealift once a year.
Every second Saturday, the food bank distributes food to about 120 families and 500 people, young and old, from all walks of life.
"It's increased over the 15 years (since inception of the food bank)," said Stephan Wallick, chair of the board.
"Around Christmas time and late winter we have a big need. It's a real privilege to be able to serve the people here."
North West Company put up about $4,000 and the Turkey Farmers of Canada added another $1,000 to fund the food bank's special Thanksgiving distribution, which offered more than the usual non-perishable staples. The distribution included fresh fruit, bananas, apples, oranges, canned ham and more.
"It was smooth and flawless and a wonderful donation," said Martin.
"(The clients) always love the special distribution. They love the fresh fruit or the different canned foods, things that they probably can't afford."
Wallick said it's important for the food bank to be able to give out nutritious food, especially around the holiday seasons.
'Basic staples'
"Most of what we give is basic staples, so to give the fresh food is really special," he said.
"It's very important because we're able to help the families during the holiday season."
Martin called North West's donation "a big step forward for a company that is very present in Nunavut."
They both hope the donation is a sign of things to come.
