Growing stronger in Rankin
Food bank, thrift store doing well in new location
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
RANKIN INLET
Things have been running smoothly for the Ikurraq Food Bank Society since moving its base operations into a new location at the former Wildlife office in Rankin Inlet.
Kathleen Irwin and young Riley Irwin-Oniak show one of the great tops available at the Ikurraq second-hand store in Rankin Inlet - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The non-profit society runs a food bank and a thrift store for the community.
Society president David Fredlund said a new executive was elected this past week, and he couldn't be happier with how things are going in the new building.
He said everything has been moved and set up, and the operation is now, pretty much, back to normal.
"We've been doing the food bank now for about six weeks, and the thrift store for about four or five weeks," said Fredlund.
"The feedback we've received, so far, from the community on our move to the new location has been 100 per cent positive.
"Everyone who has come in has commented on how much brighter and open it is, compared to our old spot.
"We've been told it feels a lot more like a food bank and thrift store now, so that's all good to hear."
Fredlund said the operation is well-stocked at the moment.
He said the thrift store got a big boost in inventory when Canadian Food for Children, of Mississauga, Ont., sent a 40-foot seacan full of clothing items.
"It was stuffed right to the front with all kinds of jackets, sweaters and various clothing items.
"A bit of it was new, but it was all what I would describe as the same type of items you'd expect to find in a thrift store in the south.
"The food bank is also doing good, but it goes more on a week-to-week basis.
"We have a fairly good volunteer base for that aspect of the operation, because they enjoy helping out and meeting people who come in."
The food bank distributes two days' worth of food items each week to 25 families of four.
Fredlund said there have been a few more families being helped out during the past few weeks.
He said the food bank is there to give families a step up each week, not to supply their monthly groceries.
"We try to provide 25 to 30 families with enough food for two days and bring them closer to payday.
"The weekly sales at our thrift store have almost doubled since our move, so things are going well for us now and we thank everyone who supports our operation."
