For more than seven months the Iyahrhe-Nakoda Food Bank in nearby Morley has been operating out of the Chiniki grocery store, moved for precautionary measures in response to the flood heavy rainfall in June 2013.
According to manager Autumn Eaglespeaker, the staff and volunteers are hoping to re-open the doors of their former location in the heart of the Morley townsite by the end of January.
This is slated to be a big year for the Nation food bank, which puts together some 300 hampers a week, as the centre will finally be able to expand by doubling its current space (from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet).
“We’re going to be expanding the building to meet capacity needs,” said Eaglespeaker, adding that the renovations are made possible by the generous donations from the Calgary Rotary Club, the Red Cross and Husky Energy.
“We received a donation from Husky Energy for $100,000 to kick start the renovations,” she said. “With the renovations we’re going to be able to include a commercial kitchen.”
Eaglespeaker said a total of $275,000 is required to meet all facility expansion needs, including the acquisition of more fridges and freezers.
“So far we’ve received $260,000…we have a little more fundraising to do for the finishing touches.”
With some 510 Nation homes affected from the June 2013 flood and heavy rainfall, hundreds of Nation families were displaced.
Many are being temporarily housed in mobile housing units, which only have microwaveable units inside them to address cooking needs.
Eaglespeaker said the staff and volunteers are looking forward to the addition of a commercial kitchen to help those families affected by the flood.
The Iyahrhe-Nakoda Food Bank will also be expanding by opening up another location at the Stoney community of Big Horn.
Around 500 Stoney Nation members live at the remote Big Horn location (near Rocky Mountain House); those in need of assistance have to drive to Morley to receive hampers, so Eaglespeaker said it’s a necessity to open up a food bank location in the more northern community.
Following the Christmas season, Eaglespeaker said the Nation is in need of more donations, especially baby products (formula, diapers, wipes) and meat, which can now be properly stored in the new fridges and freezers.
Donations will be gratefully received at the facility Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Iyahrhe-Nakoda Food Bank can be reached at 403-881-2766.
