THUNDER BAY – The Regional Food Distribution Association is appealing to the public for empty space.
Volker Kromm, the organization’s executive director, on Thursday said for social distancing reasons they are in need of more space to provide the area’s open food banks with per-made hampers that include perishable and frozen foods.
Kromm said they’ve been stockpiling food for the time when Feed Ontario and Food Bank Canada hampers dwindle out, which will be in short order.
“We are preparing to assemble and pack pre-made hampers ourselves, with local volunteers, for the city food banks, feeding programs, other nutrition partners, including our home prepared food deliveries to shut-ins. The priority for us is safety,” Kromm said.
“We are trying to devise a safe system to perform these tasks. We need a temporary solution to our shortfall in warehouse space. In order to maintain safe physical distancing, we are actively searching for short-term warehouse availability. We have tried appealing to a large central empty store, but the rental cost was well beyond our means. “
The RFDA is looking at a variety of options, including warehouses, empty retail spots, an aircraft hangar, a school building or a manufacturing facility.
The space must be accessible and have heat.
“Winter will soon be upon us. We are committed to feeding our hungry neighbours and keeping all of us safe during these very bizarre times. If need be, we will re-configure our current facility to make something work. The best-case scenario requires community support.”
