The Evergreen Basic Needs Food Bank in Gimli has embarked on a pilot project to assess the need for food hamper deliveries to clients who are unable to pick up a hamper.
EBN executive director Karen Bowman said the need for the pilot project, which for assessment purposes will be limited to the RM of Gimli and the Town of Winnipeg Beach, stems from the ongoing lack of public transportation in rural areas.
“We know of some people in the community who are in a predicament when it comes to hamper day. They’ll book an appointment to pick up a hamper then find that their mode of transportation hasn’t come through, whether that’s a family member giving them a ride or their car breaks down,” said Bowman. “There may be others who don’t even both connecting with us because they know they can’t get here to pick up a hamper. Things are getting tougher and tougher for people. We have some clients who have their own vehicle but can’t afford to buy gas.”
The criteria for the delivery project are having no access to a personal vehicle, a limited support network and no social worker assistance. The hampers will be pre-packed and optional items – clients visiting the food bank have the opportunity to access a giveaway table for items that aren’t part of their hampers – will be selected by food bank staff.
Since 2021 EBN has seen a 30 per cent increase in the need for hampers across its region coupled with a decline in food donations as the cost of living steeply rose.
“Last year 1,688 hampers were picked up, which represents the number of hampers we had to provide food for rather than the number of households using a hamper,” said Bowman. “Clients are entitled to two hampers a month.”
With higher fuel prices at the pump that started in April with an increase in carbon pricing, Bowman said she expects the cost of EBN’s delivery pilot project to have an impact on their budget.
“Anytime anything increases in price relating to food or fuel, our bottom line goes up as well. The increased cost of fuel will definitely have an impact on us,” she said.
EBN received a generous donation of $2,000 in gift cards from Red River Co-op that can be used for either food or fuel. That will help offset the cost of operating the delivery service.
The hamper delivery project started on April 3 and will run until June 26 after which Bowman said they’ll assess the results.
“We’ll look at what the response has been and see if it’s viable to continue or if we should try something else,” she said.
To apply for the delivery service, call (204) 642-9736 (extension 3) on Mondays or Tuesdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. The food bank coordinator will determine eligibility. Those who are entitled to the service will be scheduled for a delivery on Wednesdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The client must be at home to receive the hamper as it will not be left outside or at another location.
The food bank and EBN’s gently used household and clothing store is located at 71 Fourth Ave. in Gimli.
