REPORT TO VESTRY FROM THE HARVEST MANITOBA COMMITTEE
As a result of St. Stephen’s/St. Bede’s selling their building and renting space with St. Mary’s the Mount Royal Food Bank could not continue at their current location after September 21, 2023.
Given the importance of this Ministry a Committee was established within
St. Andrew’s Woodhaven to study the feasibility of our Church assuming this responsibility and implementing a Food Bank managed by our Parish. The Committee, Co-Chaired by Lisa Churchward and Anita Cox included Rev. Liz Richens, Sue Marlatt, Susan Chadwick, Shirley Bender, Doreen Pattie and Norma Pitman. Lisa subsequently stepped down from the Committee.
Over the course of the summer Committee Members visited numerous Food Banks to determine procedures and food distribution methods.
Contact was also made with Harvest Manitoba. To initiate a Food Bank an application must be submitted and they undertake a Site Visit. Harvest Manitoba indicated positive interest in their Clients continuing to be served. Clients may only attend one Food Bank every 28 days. Currently Mount Royal Food Bank therefore services 60 Households 30 on each Thursday.
A major deterrent was identified. Harvest Manitoba does not deliver the groceries to Mount Royal. Mount Royal Food Bank currently has two drivers, one with a 1/2 ton truck and the other with an SUV who pick up groceries at 1:30 p.m. every 14 days. Both drivers have indicated their interest in continuing this service and two individuals with SUV’s have been identified as back up. However, if a truck is required on any particular day it would have to be rented and driven by one of our Volunteers.
Harvest Manitoba indicated that if 50 Households are serviced at each Food Bank a wait list for delivery would be initiated but currently they do not have sufficient drivers or transport to provide this service to a Food Bank at our location.
The Committee has discussed practicalities of implementation without definitive plans to date such as resources, equipment, storage, timing and number of Clients to be serviced.
As Harvest Manitoba requires 28 days to notify Clients of a change in location and a decision would not be taken prior to Vestry Meeting, Mount Royal Food Bank Co- ordinator, Margret Wischnewski was offered our Hall to conduct the Mount Royal Food Bank on October 5th and October 19th. This is taking place and equipment will be moved to the Hall on Friday, September 22nd.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee, understanding decisions outstanding and the amount of implementation procedures to be developed are recommending that
St. Andrew’s Woodhaven implement, commencing Thursday, November 2nd a Food Bank to be called the Woodhaven Food Bank.
Actions to Follow if Recommendation Approved
If this recommendation is accepted, Mount Royal Food Bank will be donating their equipment to the Woodhaven Food Bank.
Harvest Manitoba has advised that they will speak to Parishioners at Coffee on September 24th and a list asking for Volunteers will be posted.
A date will be determined with Harvest Manitoba for a Site Visit and Team Leader Volunteers.
Respectfully submitted
St. Andrew’s Woodhaven Harvest Manitoba Committee