Grunthal Caring Hands Food Bank will take time this evening to reflect on the last year. 

The food bank is holding its annual general meeting on Monday at 7 pm at the Elim Church in Grunthal. Spokesperson Rob Warkentin says this will be an opportunity for the public to learn about the last 12 months for the food bank and find out what is expected in the year ahead. 

Warkentin says over the last number of years, the board has had conversations about what the future might hold for their food bank. He notes they are very thankful to the Elim Church for allowing them to use space on their property. However, he admits that before Vita opened a food bank, things were getting pretty tight for them, and it had become difficult to manage that facility. 

Vita opening a food bank in the last year has relieved some of that pressure with clients now using that location instead. However, Warkentin says that if any sort of expansion or relocation is to happen in the future, that is a conversation that needs to happen now, before it is too late. 

"It's nothing we need imminent but definitely it's one of those things you can't decide tomorrow you need to expand," he says. "It's a bit of a process, so it's definitely a conversation going on."

Meanwhile, Warkentin invites anyone who might need the services of the food bank to either visit their website at grunthalcaringhands.org or call 204-371-1394. Warkentin explains there are many different reasons why someone might need the food bank, but he says there is no judgment, only love. 

"You don't have to go to the grocery store very often to see that prices are getting a little crazy, difficult to make it paycheque to paycheque," he notes. "By all means, if you are wondering if you are in that range or need some help, give us a call and we can hook you up for sure."

Warkentin says some of their clients have become long-term while others come and go. He notes some people will use the food bank for a week or month just to get back on their feet and then it is sometimes those individuals who then give back to the food bank when they can. 

Warkentin says when an individual comes in to pick up a hamper, they can generally expect to receive enough food for about three meals. They also try to provide baby formula where applicable. 

"(Formula) can be very expensive for new moms," he says. "It's not excessive, but it is enough to help sort of bridge the gap."

The number of clients who access the food bank in Grunthal has declined from last year, but Warkentin says they knew that drop was coming because of the opening in Vita. However, he notes that because of the state of our economy, the number of people who access food banks in the Grunthal area continues to rise. 

 

With files from Dave Anthony