Surge of support for Moose Jaw Food Bank eases crisis concerns

By Gordon Edgar

The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank (MJFB) has released another update to its declaration of a crisis two weeks ago — saying a surge of donations means no reduction in hampers, and much less risk of any kind of closure.

“Since our press release and the announcement we made on July 18, our community has just stepped up,” said Jason Moore, executive director of the MJFB. “We have received all kinds of support from our community in the form of fundraisers and individual donations and corporations and local businesses getting together.”

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The MJFB had said they need $150,000 by the end of October. Together with an initial $40,000 earmarked for Moose Jaw from the provincial million-dollar announcement last week, Moore said the food bank is already about halfway to that goal.

“We are pleased to announce that we will be able to continue providing our usual services without reducing the number of hampers, thanks to the generous contributions of our community. Moose Jaw has shown incredible solidarity and generosity, ensuring that those in need continue to receive support. Food Banks of Saskatchewan and Food Banks Canada have provided several pallets of food to support our efforts,” the MJFB said statement on Monday.

“The G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation Fund and the MNP Community Fund, in partnership with the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, have each granted us $10,000. Along with community and corporate fundraisers, we have raised an additional $10,000 to date. The recent announcement of $40,000 from the Government of Saskatchewan brings us to half of our $150,000 goal once the Government funding is received.”

That means the food bank will not have to reduce the number of food hampers given out after all.

“I’m really excited to say that,” Moore added. “It was hard for us to even think about making that decision, but I was also, at the same time, very optimistic that our community would step forward.”

The MJFB will continue with its transition to a “shopping model” this October. That means inviting clients to make their own choices about what is in their hampers, which Moore and his team hope will reduce food waste.

The non-profit also has plans to increase client case management services, including cooking and financial education, and to expand its fundraising activities.

They are not seeing any drop in client numbers and help about 800 households each month — up from 400 per month two years ago.

“We certainly didn’t budget last year or the year before for a 100 per cent increase in the number of clients we’re serving, and so it’s forced us to look at how we do things,” Moore explained.

Ways that people can help include:

• Donate Funds: Monetary donations allow bulk food purchases, maximizing the contribution.
• Donate food: Donations of food and other household items are always accepted on site during business hours.
• Hosted events by groups and organizations: Consider taking donations for entry or placing a donation bin to support the Moose Jaw Food Bank.
• Volunteer: Volunteers are absolutely essential to successfully operating a food bank.
• Spread the word: Share the mission of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank with your network to increase awareness and support.