The grand opening of the Regional Food Distribution Association’s new home was the culmination of eight years of hard work for Larry Brigham.
"It’s a dream that’s come true for us because we see people who are hungry; we see people who need help," said Brigham, the RFDA’s past president. "We really feel that the community stepped up to the plate and done their thing to make sure everybody is looked after in our community."
Friday the association celebrated the grand opening of the facility – named the Paterson Family Food Centre – on Syndicate Avenue in the former Diamond Bingo building.
The centre works as a warehouse to supply Northwestern Ontario’s 29 food banks and feeding programs, 21 of which are in Thunder Bay.
In the past four years, Brigham has seen the number of people using the food banks more than double in the city from 3,800 people a month to more than 8,300 just this past March.
"It’s sad, but we’ve had to face this in this community," he said. "Across the country the increase has been remarkable, but it has been much more difficult here in this community."
With the new facility, the RFDA can now offer more community programs aside from focusing just on food distribution. Executive director Volker Kromm said the new building is just a starting point.
"We can now start delivering other things than just food," he said. "We’re looking at incorporating new programs, kitchen opportunities."
The RFDA was formerly located at 704 McKenzie St. in a building donated by the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre; these new opportunities wouldn’t have been possible in the older building.
"This has that multi-use flavour and look to it," Kromm said, adding he’s looking at using some of the large parking lot space to build a greenhouse.
The Syndicate Avenue facility also has large fridges and freezers, so the RFDA can take more perishable items and offer a wider variety of food to its clients.
Brigham said they’re taking in more eggs, milk and fresh fruits and vegetables, which they would have had to turn away previously; these are also healthier alternatives to some of the canned items they normally give out.
With the RFDA since its inception, chairwoman Kelly Hicks said she never imagined they would be where they are today and knows there is room to grow.
And while Friday was a proud day for Hicks and the rest of the board, there is still some fundraising left to do; they are still about $248,000 short of what they need to finish the retrofit of the former bingo hall.
"We’re hoping the community comes forward and gives whatever they can," she said. "Every little bit helps."
