Ste. Anne food bank stretches budget, relies on generous donations

The food bank in Ste. Anne, Accueil Kateri Centre, is preparing more hampers these days to help families in the town and Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne. 

President Aurele Boisvert says the need has grown as food prices have increased. 

“Because of that, we need more money,” he says. “For instance, last year, we just finished our fiscal year, we spent more than what we had budgeted to maintain the same level of donations that we give out. And so, we did get some one-time donations that helped us cover that extra expense. We try to be optimistic and all, we've been at this for 10 years now and we've survived the 10 years, and that's because of our volunteers and because of our incredible donations, that the people are dedicated to helping the food bank.” 

Claudette Lavack, board member and volunteer, says it is helpful to get regular donations and they are quick to spread the wealth when there is an excess of special items like baby food. 

“We get products from Manitoba Harvest every second Monday, and sometimes they send us some (baby food),” she says. “When we have too much, we send it to Steinbach Family Resource Centre.” 

Boisvert notes there is tremendous support from some of the local grocery stores who help the food bank get the most out of every dollar, allowing them to purchase large amounts of food at sale prices. 

The food bank is also trying to ease the pain of poverty by helping families access financial support programs. 

Last summer, they held a special day on their parking lot, with fun activities for the children while their parents spent time with Canada Services employees who set people up for all the financial benefits they are qualified to receive. Boisvert says they also arranged for people to get identification cards. 

“Some people didn’t have proper ID,” he explains. 

The event last summer was a success with happy children and adults who felt a little more optimistic about their finances after learning of the benefits they were entitled to receive. 

“We had a grandmother that couldn’t believe, that now, she said, ‘I’ll be able to stay home with my grandchildren and afford to be able to spend more time with them,’ because of the grants she was going to get.” 

Boisvert notes they plan to hold this event again this summer.