Students building new roof for Regina Food Bank

A group of students are hammering away at hunger in Regina.

The Regina Food Bank has partnered with the Regina Trades and Skills Centre (RTSC) to build almost 7,100 square feet of roof for the food bank’s building on Winnipeg Street.

“A strong community requires a strong food bank, and a strong food bank needs a strong roof,” said Regina Food Bank vice-president David Froh said during a media event Thursday. “We literally can’t operate without one.”

The partnership will allow commercial and industrial roofing students from RTSC to gain hands-on experience.

“They have taken their training from the classroom to an actual job site,” said RTSC operations manager Melissa Dobrowolski.

“The elements (the students have been working in) are unreal. They’ve been shovelling (and) putting ice melt down. They’ve been sledge hammering some of the ice and removing all of the materials.”

The students were directed by Mitch Kot of M&M Roof Repairs and Maintenance.

The Saskatchewan Roofing Contractors Association and other Regina-area roofing companies supplied the necessary materials for the project.

Dobrowolski said the Regina Food Bank was provided more than $105,000 worth of materials.

Froh said the operation will save the Food Bank about $180,000 in total — which amounts to more than 500,000 meals.

“Today and every day, there are long lineups of people waiting to get support from the Regina Food Bank,” Froh said. “The students gain practical experience but with that experience you also help feed your neighbours.”