by Marty Brown
Northern News Services
NNSL (Feb 19/97) - The Yellowknife Food Bank in the Tundra Building is open one night a week for two hours.
During that time an average of 50 people take advantage of the service, but they take away enough food to feed 250 -- for their own families, friends and neighbors.
Yellowknifer reporter Marty Brown spent last Wednesday evening at the food bank. She helped bag groceries and talked with people who work there and use the service. This is what she saw and heard.
Inside, Andrea, Paula and Paula's six-year old daughter Cassandra, and I pack grocery bags with food. This is how you do it, Cassandra said as she lead me along. She picked up lard, a sack of rolled oats, tea, salt and sugar and put them in bags.
Some people drop by asking for food for grandparents unable to make the trip. Others waiting for a cheque from home or government find themselves short food for a time.
The office area is tidied up, more bags are packed. Someone found margarine -- a real bonus -- that is promptly distributed to the latest customers. But, there's always a rush at five to nine apparently, so we prepare.
Hopefully there'll be more next week. Hopefully.