Harvest, with support from Food Banks Canada, announced earlier this month that it would be distributing $220,000 in grants to members of its community food network across Manitoba including food banks, soup kitchens and other agencies that rely on Harvest for food. Another $100,000 is being made available to support the unique food and nutrition needs of Northern Manitoba Indigenous communities.

Harvest received a total of $1 million through the Food Banks Canada COVID-19 Response Fund, which is supported through the Emergency Food Security Fund, delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Much of
the funding was earmarked for extraordinary expenses relating to food purchases and distribution costs during the pandemic. Two-thirds of the funding was set aside to respond to critical and unique challenges faced by local agencies across Manitoba.

For the second year in a row, Harvest Manitoba Community Food Network members were invited to apply for a cash grant. Funding could be used for food purchases, equipment acquisition and upkeep, delivery costs, distribution expenses, and other needs members deemed critical to serving their communities. Last year, a total of $150,000 was disbursed.

“Local food banks and agencies within the Harvest Community Food Network are front-line responders in the fight against hunger in Manitoba.” said Marilyn McLaren, Harvest Board Chair. “We are pleased to be able to provide them with additional, unexpected support in this time of urgent need.”

One of organizations that received a Harvest Grant was the Charleswood Caring and Sharing Food Bank in St. Mary’s Anglican Church.

“Everything is getting more and more expensive and we’re definitely seeing more need and it’s always been our mandate at our food bank that we don’t turn anybody away who is a walk-in”, said Susan Brown, the food bank
coordinator.

“Everybody leaves with something. We’ve been really adamant about that. Sometimes it’s a little tricky. This grant allows us to stock up and have food on hand for emergencies.”

Through the Harvest Community Food Network Grant Program, the Charleswood Food Bank received $1,000. One of the items they plan to purchase is a cart to help volunteers, largely seniors, with the loading of hampers from the truck. Remaining grant funds were used to buy feminine hygiene products and diapers for children, which are in high demand at the food bank. Last year’s grant of $1,200 was used to buy an upright freezer.

“We purchased an upright freezer because we have a large walk-in clientele. Last year, I think we did over 250 walk-in clients for the year we just find that being able to keep excess (food stored properly is diffcult),” she said.

The food bank has been running for eight years and services 80 clients monthly as well as walk-ins. Prior to COVID, the food bank had 45 volunteers, now it has only half that amount. She said the location of the food bank is great because it is close to social housing.

“We have quite a mix (of people who use the food bank), but as I say there is a Manitoba housing (unit) that is within walking distance from us, and it is a singles complex. Probably 70% of our clients are single households and the
rest is a mix,” said Brown.