Food Bank to remain open, Friendship Centre looking for donations before Xmas

The Bonnyville Friendship Centre’s Food Bank was facing a potential closure due to a Canada Revenue Agency error, but that has been avoided, staff says. 

“Because of a filing error, we received a registered letter saying they were going to revoke our charity number and close us down by December 16,” said Pauline Mawer-Cardinal, an executive assistant with the Friendship Centre, to Lakeland Connect.

“We went into panic mode. Yet we had a lot of help in this. Our Director of Operations reached out to David Hanson, and Shannon Stubbs and they went to bat for us. David Hanson stood up for us in the legislature. As of last week, the Federal Minister of Finance called to say we did receive the extension.” 

The extension wasn’t so simple as a phone call to the CRA, said Director of Operations, Janet Gobert. But as of right now, the Food Bank financials are in compliance.

The Centre, however, is still in need of donations and is facing an increase in people in need.

“The numbers are higher than we’ve had in the past years, for Christmas usually our hampers cost $240 and that’s for a family. Yet this past December, November, October, that number is climbing. The hamper costs about $300, which is about $45,000 to put out 150. Before the end of December we will put out 150 or more hampers,” said Mawer-Cardinal.

Not only have those numbers increased, but youth accessing services over the last few months has grown.

“We’ve had 79 kids come in November, where the highest number of youth in previous months was 30. They are accessing our community kitchen, getting fed through our hamper program and the friends for lunch program. Food is delivered every two weeks and even before the two weeks is up the schools are calling needing more, so there is a lot of hungry children out there.

“We are here to meet that need, but we need help,” said Mawer-Cardinal. 

How can the public lend a helping hand 

“Right now, we are asking for more monetary donations so that we can buy what we need. If someone wants to donate food items they can call Nicole and will receive a list of our greatest needs, the clothing we have been okay with continuous donations of winter stuff. For the food bank we do need funds right now we are probably okay until the end of February,” said Mawer-Cardinal. 

“I know Bonnyville, I grew up here and I know when there is a call for help, Bonnyville delivers. The community cares about the less fortunate and unhoused, and we are thankful for donations that come in Christmas is a busy time of year, a giving time of year, but we need continual support.” 

Residents are encouraged to donate through e-transfer to finance@bfriendship.ca or can drop off donations right at the Friendship Centre.

The centre will be closed on Dec. 22nd for 10 days, however, the food bank will stay accessible there is an emergency number you can contact, and the number will be posted on the Bonnyville Friendship Centre’s Facebook page, on the front door, and phone messages. 

“Just to assure people over the Christmas holidays we’re here to help you,” said Mawer-Cardinal.

Pauline Mawer-Cardinals is also one of the few to receive the Queen’s Jubilee medal, in recognition of her services to the community. 

“I’m very humbled and honored to have been recognized, that kind of recognition and award just puts more responsibility on me, to serve my community better, and that’s all I want to do,” said Mawer.