South Porcupine Food Bank officially opens new location to serve people throughout Timmins and beyond
The South Porcupine Food Bank had little time to waste after smoke damage over the summer spoiled its inventory and place of operation. But the community came to its rescue while officials looked for a new place to serve their clients, and they officially opened that new location this weekend.
"We’re pretty excited, said Peter Davis, the treasurer for the South Porcupine Food Bank. "We’ve gone through a couple of months trying to renovate, get things painted, get our new freezers and fridge."
A fire in June, next door to the original location on Main Street, South Porcupine, forced the move. Davis said it hasn't been easy to find a new, accessible building to meet its needs.
He said the Porcupine Mall offered free space for the interim, until Davis secured the Bloor Avenue address after the Timmins and District Humane Society closed its thrift shop.
The South Porcupine Food Bank began serving its clients from the new location Saturday and Davis said it's happening at a good time.
“For someone who’s on a really fixed income-be it a disability income- ... they’re struggling to make ends meet for their monthly rent and everything else, so the food bank really makes a big difference.”
Volunteers said although there is less space in the new location, the rewarding experience of helping people makes up for it.
“It’s going to serve us well. There’s a few things that need to be modified but that comes with any location," said Devon Dysart, a volunteer with the South Porcupine Food Bank.
Davis added, with the cost of groceries going up, he's seeing more families come to use the food bank since August. In September, he said it served one-hundred and forty-six adults and eighty-two children.
He also said, thanks to a grant from Agriculture Canada and some savings, the Food Bank was able to purchase a new van to make it easier to buy, collect and deliver food in bulk throughout the community to other organizations in need.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.