Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Mike Zorn, of the Kipling Youth Centre, and Chris Toth, of The People’s Church, clear the newly designated Food Bank area out for future business.

By: Darcie Thom

Elizabeth Goodson, formerly of the Kipling/Windthorst United Church, previously took charge of the unregistered local Food Bank Organization that assisted families in need. Once the leading hands changed within the Church, food bank account was transferred to the Kipling and District Ministerial, as a whole.

An area within the Youth Centre has been seeing a bit of a facelift to provide an adequate space for this particular organization. A ‘newer’ door has been obtained and will serve as an access door to the new storage space that will hold the donated food and products from the people of the Kipling and surrounding areas. The area will not be completely ready for operation until they are able to obtain a newer and efficient furnace.

“We are in the process of turning it into something of its own identity,” says Mike Zorn, a representative of the Kipling Youth Centre, “we are working towards getting a community-based board to operate the Food Bank and getting the fundraising up and running, especially by the holiday season”.

The Ministerial previously sent out letters to various businesses in and around the Kipling Community inviting them to be involved with the Food Bank and have had very little luck with responses, however, through conversation, Zorn stated that “quite a few thought it was a good idea”.

The Kipling and District Ministerial is looking to gain a separate community-based board that will maintain and run the Food Bank for the 30+ families that are in need of it between Kipling and Carlyle. Fundraising and donations are a big part of the success that this organization needs to thrive for and with the help from volunteers and monetary donations, this organization will meet its goal.

An informational meeting will be held on Thursday, November 6th at 7:30 pm at the Kipling Youth Centre to discuss the exciting opportunities that a registered food bank can provide to the community and to the board members who involve themselves at ground-level.