A fundraiser hosted by the Yk International Culinary Club in June has helped ease the struggle the Salvation Army Food Bank faces to address the growing need for food.
The club, with its membership of about 10, has become known throughout the city for hosting multicultural fundraising events.
Camille Browder, a member of the organization, helped plan the SA国际影视传媒楽oul Food SaturdaySA国际影视传媒� event at the Baker Centre and raised $2,000 for the food bank. She said if hunger doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 affect someone personally, it affects someone they know.
SA国际影视传媒淚 wanted to help in any way that I could, so I thought about having the fundraiser and using my resources through my business, Down Home Cooking,SA国际影视传媒� said Browder, who is of African American descent. SA国际影视传媒淚 was able to provide a meal and some entertainment and celebrate African American culture.SA国际影视传媒�
The event included a southern-style dinner, a trivia contest comprised of American and African American history questions, a live auction and a celebration where a person celebrating a birthday was selected from the attendees and had American dollars pinned to her in fun.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was pretty successful. We had a really good time,SA国际影视传媒� Browder said.
Culinary club member Janaki Balakrishnan said the group enjoys preparing and planning but also knowing they are donating to a worthy recipient when they host events.
SA国际影视传媒淲e are raising funds for a reasonable cause and a very deserving organization and that is what Camille has done.SA国际影视传媒�
New members are always welcome to join the group, she said.
Hunger on the doorstep
Tony Brushett, executive director of the Yellowknife Salvation Army, said the number of people who use the food bank on a regular basis has doubled since the wildfire evacuation last year.
SA国际影视传媒淭ypically for us, our food bank is open Mondays and Thursdays, and so in that time frame we'll see 100-plus families every week,SA国际影视传媒� Brushett said.
SA国际影视传媒淭he numbers are staying fairly steady for the last three or four months, but from a year ago before the evacuation, we would have been seeing 50 or so families a week.SA国际影视传媒�
Brushett said the money from the fundraiser is a big boost for the food bank, as it relies primarily on donations year-round.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat we're finding now more so than any time before is that we're actually having to put appeals out every couple of months to try and replenish the food bank,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the high level of need.
One benefit of having a monetary donation, Brushett said, is that because of the food bankSA国际影视传媒檚 association with local wholesalers, it is able to purchase more food for less money, thereby stretching every dollar to the max.
Brushett said no one should ever feel self-conscious about using the food bank service.
SA国际影视传媒淪tuff can happen to all of us. And I know that's easy for me to say because today I'm on the other side of the fence and I'm OK.
SA国际影视传媒淏ut I have been a food bank user in my younger years just because of family situations. Whether it's within their control or not, you know, the key is, don't go hungry because of pride or any stigma attached to it.
SA国际影视传媒淲e're certainly not going to make you feel bad about coming to pick up food. We do everything we can to make the transition happen quickly, quietly, with as much dignity as possible.SA国际影视传媒�
The Salvation Army Food Bank is located in the Salvation Army building on the corner of 45 Street and Franklin Avenue. It is open on Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
