THUNDER BAY - Digging deep to help neighbours is just how things are done in Northwestern Ontario.
In Conmee Township, the Rural Cupboard Food Bank is breaking ground on the construction of a new building.
Rural Cupboard Food Chair Fundraising & Building Committee Bank Kimmberley White said, "The new building will be 1400 square feet, the majority of that will be warehouse. We'll also have part of the building where we'll have confidential intake.”
Before the groundbreaking, there was a small ceremony inside the municipal complex, where food bank officials spoke about the work involved in developing a new facility.
The food bank currently operates out of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kakabeka Falls, however, the existing facility lacks storage space and handicap accessibility.
Conmee initially tried to find the food bank a parcel of land for a new bank but the idea soon pivoted to building an addition to the town's existing Municipal complex.
Conmee Township mayor Kevin Holland said, "I brought the idea to my council first, with the possibility of partnering with the food bank, council was receptive to the idea. We moved forward from there."
The new food bank is estimated to cost 325,000 dollars, including fixtures, with Conmee Township providing the space, and Rural Cupboard paying for the construction.
The food bank is paying for the entire cost of the facility out of reserve funds, but hopes to be able to raise additional money from donations from the community.
Officials say construction should be done by the fall of this year, with August targeted as a possible opening date.
The Food Bank is asking anyone who's able to make donations, to visit raisethefoodbank.com
(TBT News)
