Iqaluit (Mar 31/03) - When the president of the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank resigned about a month ago, the territory's commissioner was asked take over. And Peter Irniq couldn't say no.

"I want to help them out and introduce Inuit culture into this as much as possible. Sharing has always been big in Inuit culture," said Irniq.

Irniq will be the chair of Iqaluit's food bank until the board holds its annual general meeting in May.

The former president, John French, had to give up the position due to other commitments.

"There are hungry people in other communities and there doesn't have to be. We'd like to raise awareness for everyone," said Irniq.

The food bank's board members are more than pleased to have Irniq's help and support.

Denise Gilby, secretary for the food bank, said it's exactly what they need.

"We're quite pleased to have him with us.

"The problem we consistently have is that we're very limited in resources and funding," said Gilby.

Since the food bank opened in December 2001, volunteers have been helping around 50 people every week.

Gilby said each of these people represents, on average, a four-person family.

It would mean the food bank is servicing around 200 people each time it opens its door.

After careful consideration, a change has recently been made to the food bank's schedule.

Instead of opening every Saturday, it will open every second Saturday.

Gilby said those who come to the food bank are still receiving the same amount of food, they're just getting two weeks worth at a time.

"It makes it more manageable this way and it's less taxing on our volunteers," said Gilby.

Food bank expansion

The board is also examining how it can make links with other communities in Nunavut to get food banks started all across the territory.

Right now, the food bank in Iqaluit is the only one in Baffin region.

The only other food bank in Nunavut is in Cambridge Bay.

Senior administrative officer for Arctic Bay Cecil Marshall said the hamlet has discussed opening a food bank in the community.

He said the discussion always ends the same way -- there's no way of funding it.

"I'm sure that if there was a food bank in Arctic Bay, it would be accessed on a regular basis by a lot of people," said Marshall.

Gilby said after discussions with communities across the territory, it has become apparent to the board that many communities are in need of a food bank.

And board members of the food bank in Iqaluit are helping communities like Arctic Bay find the funding they need.

She added that keeping a food bank operating is always difficult but in the end, it's worthwhile.

"We're just going to try to keep going and get enough food to keep the shelves stocked," said Gilby.

The food bank in Iqaluit is still being operating out the DOME even though the youth centre is closed.