Rainy River Food Bank now open twice a month

By Ken Johnston
Editor

While it has been around for more than a decade, the Westend Food Bank in Rainy River has received a new lease on life!
Heidi Ivall of the Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) in Rainy River walked the food bank’s committee through a reenergizing process. “They came to us and asked for help,” said Ivall last week.
Together their efforts have strengthened and improved the local food bank. “The first thing we did was create a mission statement,” explained Ivall. The mission statement is, “Working together to create a hunger-free community and to give a helping hand, not a handout.”
Feeling the food bank was being under utilized the committee, along with Ivall’s help looked at ways to improve its usage. It is no longer an “emergency food access provider.” Clients can use the food bank on a need basis. There is no formal application process. People are taken at their word that they have a need.
The hours of operation have also been improved. It is now open two times per month. “It is open the second and fourth Monday of each month from 10 a.m. until Noon,” said Ivall. If a Monday is a holiday then it is open on Tuesday. The food bank is located in the basement of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Rainy River.
With Ivall’s long time involvement with the NWHU and the Health Communities Coalition, she also brought healthy eating to the food bank. “We are hoping to place more emphasis on healthier foods more often and encouraging donors to give healthier food items.”
The committee has created a top 10 list of foods to donate:
1. Canned vegetables (including tomatoes and tomato sauce)
2. Canned fruits (peaches, pears, mandarins)
3. Canned fish and meat (tuna, salmon or sardines packed in water)
4. Pasta and rice (including macaroni and cheese)
5. Cereal (avoid sugar coated cereals)
6. Canned baked beans and soups/stews
7. 100% fruit juice (unsweetened/no sugar added)
8. Peanut Butter
9. Canned and powdered milk (skim, 1% or 2%)
10. Pancake mix, flour or sugar
There are drop-off boxes at most churches in Rainy River and various other locations in the community.
Since the facilities at the food bank are small they can not store fresh milk, fruit or vegetables. “We are working towards giving people coupons to use at the grocery store to purchase milk or fresh fruit and veggies,” said Ivall.
The food bank will also be providing information about healthy eating to those using its services. “We are giving them good resources about healthy eating and also other programs they might want to take advantage of. Programs like the Community Garden or Community Kitchens.”
The reenergized food bank committee had not met in over five years but now are holding regular meetings.

They are also looking for new members of the community to bring more new energy to the organization or volunteering to staff the food bank. Anyone interested can call Ivall at the NWHU weekdays 852-3268 or Rachel Marquis at 276-4059.