The Golden Town outreach Food Bank is basically saying “Thanks But No Thanks” to an offer from Meaford Mayor Francis Richardson of a temporary home.
The Food Bank is located in the Legion in Meaford, and they are desperate for a new space now — after the boiler at the legion died last week, leaving volunteers using heaters to keep the food from freezing.
Richardson, is offering up an office building at Memorial Park, but co-ordinator Ann Pickles says they don’t want to move twice in four months.
Pickles says the size is adequate and the facilities suitable, but the location is two kilometers from the centre of town and four kilometers from the area where the bulk of our clients live.
She says if the Food Bank takes up the Mayor’s offer, they would only be in the office at Memorial park until April, and they would have to vacate the building.
The Golden Town outreach Food Bank co-ordinator says she is grateful for the offer and they will hold this location as a fall-back if nothing better materializes.
Meanwhile, the United Way has invited Golden Town Outreach to apply for funding and others are coming forward with financial aid, so a reasonable rent can be paid.
Ann Pickles says they are still looking for up to 15 hundred square feet with a large store room, washroom and kitchen with at least two offices.
If you have an available space, she asks that you contact the search committee, Tammy Kean, 519-538-9980 or 519-538-4550.
Scotiabank in Meaford is also coming to the rescue for the Food Bank.
Starting on December 1st — donation boxes will be set up at the Scotiabank at the corner of Sykes and Trowbridge in Meaford.
The bank will match dollar for dollar to a maximum of five thousand dollars all donations to the Golden Town Outreach food bank during the month of December.
Also, there will be bins at the bank for toy drop off for the Christmas
Hamper program.