Food Bank asks for financial help to renovate new location

New Food Bank location on Kettles Street

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Food Bank is moving to a new location at 756 Kettles Street, which previously housed Bridges Natural Foods.  The building was purchased in December and the Food Bank recognized that they would need to renovate the flooring throughout the whole building and part of the roof.  To that end Napi, which administers the Food Bank, is trying to raise $5,000.

Executive Director Sandra Gibb said she had believed that the money needed for the renovations had been secured at the time of purchase.  "Unfortunately, that funding fell through," she said.  "The whole building needs reflooring because we have to have a sealed surface, as a food bank.  Once we have those two things, we're ready to go, we're so close."

Renovating the interior

A group of volunteers helped remove tiles in February but the renovation has since stalled.

"The Food Bank is a necessary part in our community to support those in need," wrote Ingrid Brestler, a member of the Napi board of Directors.  "I am trying to organize a garage/yard sale on September 14th in an effort to raise some funds for the Food Bank and the renovations for the new building." That sale will start at 8:00 am and run until 1:00 pm or until they are sold out at the Napi Friendship Centre, which is located at 622 Charlotte Street.

Another anticipated innovative fundraising initiative is the 'Buy a Foot of Floor for $2.00' campaign, which will be promoted at local participating businesses once the campaign is in place.

Removing the old tiles

Those who want to give a more substantial donation can go directly to to the Napi Friendship Centre weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and receive a tax deductible receipt.

Town Councillor Wayne Oliver has organized it so the labour for both the roof and the flooring has been volunteered.

"We would like to move before the snow flies," Gibb said.  The area that the Food Bank currently occupies at the Napi Friendship Centre is actually intended to be programming space for Napi's regular endeavours.

"The people of this community have been so generous with their support in the past, I believe that this is just a small hurdle," concluded Gibb.