Charitable status now approved for Vita and Area Food Bank

Vita and Area Food Bank just got their charitable status approved. 

Shirley Wiebe from the Vita and Area Food Bank says being an official food bank is a big step forward. 

“That means we can now start handing out hampers, and if people are donating now, they can get a charitable donation.” 

Up until now, all of their food hampers were coming out of Grunthal, but now Vita and Area Food Bank is taking over for their area. 

“It just means that people can now come closer, and they're not driving all the way to Grunthal to pick up, or another location, they can stay right in the community and pick it up there.” 

The Vita Area Food Bank is currently helping between 15 to 20 families. 

Yesterday, October 12, was their first distribution. 

The food bank is currently in need of funds, and they are planning a scavenger hunt this weekend to raise some funds for the food bank so they can become completely operational in the sea-can they have. 

Registration is this Saturday at 1pm at the Vita Rest Area, and they will be starting the hunt around 2pm. 

“The clues are all in place, we have done a trial run. There's going to be clues that they're going to have to really look for, and others are going to be a little bit easier, it should be fun.” 

Registration is $20 per vehicle and afterward there will be a barbecue.  

Wiebe says they still need to get hydro hooked up to their sea-can, put in freezers, and install shelving, as the sea-can is currently empty. 

As for their needs from the community, they are looking for canned goods, cereal, and of course, donations.

“The more funds we raise, the more food we can put on our shelves.” 

To register for the scavenger hunt, you can call Shirley Wiebe at 204 380 4411 or you can register on-site.  

The fundraiser is happening rain or shine this Saturday as participants won’t need to get out of their vehicle looking for the clues.

With files from Corny Rempel 

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