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Whitehorse Food Bank Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Thursday, 14 November 2019 13:36

The food bank is located in Whitehorse, but serves anyone that needs its services

It has been 10 years since the Whitehorse Food Bank first opened in April 2009. Since its opening the food bank has grown and evolved to meet a growing population and a rising cost of living in Whitehorse. In October 2009 to food bank served 1160 individuals.

Currently the food bank gives out food hampers to those in need. The hampers cover 3 to 4 days worth of food and can be picked up by individuals only once a month, however food bank executive director Dave Blottner says that isn’t enough to meet the needs of the community.   “We do see a large amount of our clientele in need of more than the amount of food that we are capable of providing” says Blottner.  He would like to see more resources in the bank so that they are able to provide bigger baskets, that might cover up to a week of food at a time to food bank users.  The food bank is currently the only resource like it that Blottner is aware of in the Yukon.  He says that clientele come from all over Whitehorse and the surrounding area including Carcross, Haines Junction, Carmacks, and even Atlin, but he is not aware of resources for people living in more remote communities.

Since opening its door 10 years ago the food bank has seen a lot of developments.  The bank was first conceived in 2006 when the Anti-Poverty Coalition recognized a growing need for food security in Whitehorse and invited the community to discuss this need.  After studies, consultations and lobbying,  the bank was formed in late 2007, eventually opening its doors to the public in 2009.  Since then the organization has started several new projects such as increasing the availability of fresh produce though a vegetable garden and offering wild game donated by local hunters.

Although Blottner says the use of the bank is pretty consistent he notices spikes around holidays and when the weather gets colder – like now.   The bank is always in need of donations weather they are food at the green bins in grocery stores, gift cards, cash or time to help pack the hampers and distribute food.  For more information you can contact Dave Blottner at ed@whitehorsefoodbank.ca or by phone at 393 2265.

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