Food Bank to receive $5000 from MD of Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek Community Food Bank

Chris Davis

At their regular meeting on March 11 Council for the MD of Pincher Creek voted to give $5000 to the Pincher Creek Food Bank.


At council's February 25th meeting they heard from a Food Bank delegation and were told that this year's operating costs, wages, taxes, and various expenses related to renovations of the new Food Bank location would require a minimum of $65,000.

"We are not utilizing all the partners that we should in this program," said Councillor Fred Schoening during council's discussions on the subject  He suggested council have a joint meeting with the Town of Pincher Creek and also Piikani Nation's council "Because they are after all more than a large player in this situation."

"I wonder it that is something that we is a council can initiate, maybe try and decide what sort of a funding structure should be, and explore options."

Reeve Brian Hammond said that the previous food bank manager was assembling a list of different organizations that are involved with the Food Bank.  "I think they have that list there, somewhere, there are faith groups in the community, there's some representatives of regional food banks.  I think we should find that reference and go back to that to support your suggestion.  It's going to be a joint thing, a community thing, and we have to have our partners, where ever they are, and as many as we can."

"There are 362 clients, according to this, that use the facility, 15 percent list the MD as their residence," said councillor Schoening.  "If we do that proportionally, we pay 15% of their overhead, then let the Town or Brocket address the rest of it?  How do we do that it so it's fair for everyone?"  Councillor Marchuk asked "How much did joint funding give last year?"  Reeve Hammond replied "$5,500 then the town gave them $1,500 for the floor." (see "Food bank flooring covered by joint council")

"Their delegation talked about major sponsors, and they were looking at the MD, hoping that we would step forward and be a bigger sponsor," said councillor Schoening.  "There are three major interests here, and the MD is probably the least of the three.  But I think that a discussion at the table with those three major entities is certainly a suitable idea, and a good start to addressing this issue."

"We are not really looking for a decision to be made today, but we could provide perhaps a final direction for it," said Reeve Hammond.  Councillors Schoening and Marchuk disagreed, saying the matter was of some urgency.

 "I think that we are obligated to do our share, that we should do our share, and that ultimately, our share is 15% of the load here, and I don't know if that is going to be enough," said councillor Marchuk.

"I think they are in dire straits."

"We have to make a decision," said councillor Schoening.  "Do we help people, or don't we want to help people, and we have to free up the funds to do that."

In the end council was unanimous in their decision to give the Food Bank $5000.

Pincher Creek's Community Food Bank  is located at 756 Kettles Street and is open to the public Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Related stories:

Pincher Creek Food Bank faces new challenges

Food bank flooring covered by joint council

Food Bank asks for financial help to renovate new location