This Kitchen has been in its present location at the Food Bank since 1992 and now serves hot lunch 364 days per year. Prior to January 2003, lunch was only served 3 times per week.

There are over 30 groups who donate their time on a rotating schedule throughout the year. These volunteers come from churches, schools, and community service groups, such as - CES, Saamis Immigration, members and leaders of Navy League, employees of AADAC, Oil Wives, Knights of Columbus and some groups are family and friends who just wanted to make a difference. Some groups work Monday, Wednesday & Friday, with their turn coming up approximately every 3 to 3 1/2months. Other groups work one day each month, such as the first Sunday of each month.

Each kitchen group has a "Head Chef" or co-ordinator who is the contact person for the Food Bank. This person is responsible to plan the menus with Barb's assistance, as she knows what has been served recently and knows what meats and ingredients are on hand. Most meals are created from the Food Bank inventory, but there are some who bring all the ingredients for their menu. The goal is always to create a hot, healthy, and well balanced meal. Meals, such as chili, stew, roast beef or turkey dinners, spaghetti, meatloaf and burgers, complete with vegetable and/or salad plus dessert are prepared. The co-ordinator also finds the 5 to 7 people needed to work each day.

Groups arrive at 9 am and are usually finished by 1:30. During this time, the meal is prepared & cooked, tables are set and juice & coffee are made. Lunch is served from 11:30 to 12:30 ('til 1 on Sundays), dishes are washed and the kitchen is cleaned up. On a personal note, I am the co-ordinator for Hillcrest Church and I just love doing this "job". The hustle and bustle of working in the kitchen, the fellowship with my group of workers and to be humbled when a client has tears in their eyes as they say thank you for their meal. I have learned so many practical and spiritual things during my days in the kitchen. Also laughed a lot and have gotten a few great recipes along the way. It is such a rewarding experience.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Salvation Army prepares lunch at the Family Support Center (aka the Homeless Shelter), brings the meal to the Food Bank and have their own volunteers who serve it.

For those who like numbers, here a few statistics: 20,078 meals or an average of 55 meals per day were served in 2003, with kitchen volunteers working 5,106.11 hours or an average of 14 volunteer hours per day

The Food Bank kitchen facility is also utilized for other programs . For example, on Thursday afternoons, the REAL Program through SAAMIS Family Programs cooks lunch for their hot lunch program that they serve in school on Fridays. On Friday afternoons, the Youth Kitchen group of the Miywasin Society comes in. This group of 13 to 29 year olds cook their supper meal, eat together and clean up. They bring their own groceries, although the Food Bank assists with whatever extra ingredients are needed. This youth group also plays games, listens to music and learns social skills.

The staff at the Food Bank say that volunteers are the life blood of their operation and they aren't afraid to express their appreciation. In fact, they are so appreciative, it's impossible to lose your job there! It is such a positive environment in which to work - everyone who works there - wants to be there! So many tasks are done by volunteers - things like:

Assisting clients in their grocery choices.

Picking up donations of groceries, furniture, housewares and greenhouse products.

Weighing, sorting and putting away grocery donations.

Organizing and cleaning the warehouse.

Staffing fundraisers such as bingo and casinos and community events like Spectrum, Holiday Train and any other events where the Food Bank gets to share programs & services.

Even their Board of Directors are volunteers from our community! I would like to take a few moments to talk about Client Services. The Food Bank can assist people with groceries once every 6 weeks. First, an Intake Interview is done for each visit. This determines identity and need. This is done for whatever service is required. Usually groceries, but sometimes furniture or housewares. Clients can phone for this interview from 9 to 12:30. Groceries are distributed from 1 to 4 Monday to Fridays and on  Saturday mornings.

Clients will receive a food hamper which consists of canned goods, meat, milk, eggs, margarine, bread, cereal and juice. Then they can pick from items like condiments, coffee, sugar, rice, oatmeal, etc. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available. There are also items such as baby food, diapers, toilet paper, toothpaste, razors, laundry soap, etc.

Most of us think of the Food Bank at Christmas time, but unfortunately, the services that are provided, are required more and more all the time. In fact, for the 1st quarter ending March 31st of this year - 3,270 grocery hampers were distributed. This is an average of 1,090 hampers each month.

Most clients that use the Food Bank are ones that are in a "crisis situation". Temporary and unexpected job loss, unexpected car repairs, or perhaps someone waiting on their first student loan cheque. These people use the Food Bank once or twice only! It is interesting to note that almost one third of the clients are working people. These "working poor' need this service to make ends meet.

Tours of the Food Bank are available. Many schools come through and usually the children help out with simple tasks. Perhaps your Sunday school classes would be interested. Just phone the office and they would be more than happy to make arrangements.

It is now time for a commercial break. If you think you might want to be involved, and can get a group together, the Neighbourhood Kitchen is in need. There are some open dates on the kitchen calendar where groups are required. These are: the 2nd Sunday of June, July, August and September and a Monday, Wednesday, Friday in July and August.

Also needed: Is a group to come in and do extra cleaning in the kitchen on a regular basis. This would consist of cleaning ovens, stovetops, cupboards and cooler. This would require a commitment of once or twice a month for 1 to 2 hours. If you would like more information or would like to help out please phone Barb at 528-4313.

Thank you for having me here this morning and God bless you all.