The Dryden Food Bank is looking for city council’s support to help raise money for a new building.
In a presentation on Monday night, they asked for letters of support from council to access federal and provincial grants, and expedited approvals to begin construction on a new building for the food bank.
In 2020, they began to see an increase in food donations from the community, causing warehouse and space issues in their present building.
They purchased a new building in May last year, which was the former Hoover Electric Building, but it now needs to be expanded and refurbished.
Dryden Food Bank Manager, Allen Huckabay, presented in the meeting and talked about their goals.
“We want to increase the capacity to accept and distribute more food, we want to improve operational deficiency, we want to invest in the stabilization of at-risk individuals, and we want to improve safe food handling practices.”
He adds that those who do not have access to healthy foods may develop physical and mental disorders. They have been seeking partnerships with KDSB and Northwest Health Unit to explore activities that will reduce poverty.
The estimated cost for their project is $1.3 million. They have received over $30,000 thus far and looking for more funding through grants and donations.
Huckabay suggests that the new food bank will economically benefit Dryden, bringing people into the city and using local businesses.
Councillor Ritch Noel and Bill Latham both said they were on board following the delegation.
Council and staff will discuss next steps and the matter will be back on the agenda at a later date.
