THUNDER BAY — The Current River Churches Food Cupboard is facing displacement and is searching for a new location by the end of August.
“We’re in a very precarious situation,” says June Gaw, coordinator of the community food bank and president of the Regional Food Distribution Association. “We have to find a new home in the very imminent future.”
The food bank currently operates out of The Refreshing Waters Community Church, which Gaw said is being forced to relocate due to rising rental costs.
“They’re not able to stay here,” Gaw explains, “which means that we as well have to find a new location.”
With the church itself aiming to be out by the end of the month, Gaw expects the food bank’s final service day at the current location will be Saturday, Aug. 29.
“We do not see closing this food bank as an alternative,” she says. “There are too many people relying on us in order to be able to eat.”
The food bank serves between 90 and 110 people every second Saturday, she said. It has been in operation since 1997. Clients come from across the area, including Pass Lake, the McKenzie School trailer park, Copenhagen Road, Spruce River Road, North Branch, and Current River proper.
It provides hampers with fresh produce, meat, eggs, milk, and bread, along with clothing, household items, children’s toys, and other essentials.
As food costs continue to rise, so does the demand.
“We had 15 new clients just two weeks ago,” Gaw says. “People living on Ontario Works, ODSP, or even small pensions, that money doesn’t go up. And it’s really hard to stretch it between rent and food or any other expenses.”
“It might be an emergency solution, a food bank, but at least it’s a band-aid we cannot rip off at this point in time.”
Gaw says food insecurity is becoming critical across the region.
“It is a frightening situation we’re in. Food Banks Canada keeps releasing data, and it’s getting almost unsustainable.”
She’s now calling on the community for help.
“If anyone knows of any space at all that would be able to house us, please contact me directly, June Gaw at 807-627-8768,” she said.
“I’m really, really expressing a sincere hope that I will be able to find a place for this food bank… I’m hoping Thunder Bay will come through for us once again.”
