Those in need of meals have more resources in Hall Beach due to the steadfast efforts of four women in the community.

But the organizers' good deeds haven't come without ongoing hurdles and sacrifice.

Acquiring sufficient funding is a challenge and, because no other location was available in the hamlet, Martha Anguratsiaq SA国际影视传媒� one of the four volunteer founders of the organization SA国际影视传媒� is allowing a room in her home to be used as the food bank.

SA国际影视传媒淚t's really important to me because there's lots of Inuit hungry people, especially kids,SA国际影视传媒� Anguratsiaq said. SA国际影视传媒淚 want to feed more if I can.SA国际影视传媒�

Anguratsiaq and Kris Richard had both been informally handing out food to those in need but they only made acquaintances in 2018.

SA国际影视传媒淲e just got together and figured out that there's a way we can pool our resources and feed more people. I told her we're going to make a food bank and we're going to make a soup kitchen SA国际影视传媒� and we're doing it,SA国际影视传媒� said Richard, adding that residents Katie Brinston Clarke and Danielle Huggins have committed their time and efforts as well.

Ten to 15 food hampers are generally given out weekly. The hampers usually contain items such as country food; frozen beef, chicken or pork; macaroni; Klik; rice; flour; baking powder; sugar; tea and coffee.

SA国际影视传媒淥ur hampers are there to help people who desperately need something through the week,SA国际影视传媒� Richard said. SA国际影视传媒淭he average family is between five to nine people. We try to give them at least a couple days worth of meals so they can figure out what to do next.SA国际影视传媒�

The food bank is accessible Monday through Saturday from 1 p.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays it's open by appointment only.

In addition, close to 60 people showed up when the first soup kitchen was held at the Elders' Centre on Jan. 26. Chili and bannock was served.

Hamlet council has granted use of the Elders' Centre for the soup kitchen long-term, Richard said. The service will be offered every second Sunday.

The response from local people to these initiatives has been heartfelt, said Richard.

SA国际影视传媒淨uite honestly, our community is so grateful for everything. Everyone is very appreciative,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e just have so many people just, I think, a little relieved that there's something being offered... to take the load off to know that they can get a meal from us to feed the family.SA国际影视传媒�

Richard also remarked on the longstanding tradition among Hall Beach residents who look out for each other and give away food, especially wild meat. She said she hopes that will continue, but the food bank can be another option during times when there's not much to go around.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is one of the most tight-knit communities that I've ever seen. People are always feeding people,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚t's very common for people to just come over for food and share dinner.SA国际影视传媒�

Baffinland Iron Mines gives an annual donation toward the food bank and the Co-op and Northern stores offer donations and discounts on food, but SA国际影视传媒渇unding is very minimal,SA国际影视传媒� according to Richard.

SA国际影视传媒淚 actually had to do a lot of research trying to get access to money up here. Nunavut is its own special microcosm of grants, but it's very tricky if you're not a registered organization or not-for-profit,SA国际影视传媒� said Richard, who added that for the food bank to become a registered society they'd need at least one more volunteer to meet the minimum requirements.

The group also relies on donated household goods from charitable groups in the south, which they then resell in Hall Beach SA国际影视传媒� population 850 SA国际影视传媒� to raise money to buy more food. It's not ideal to rely on local people to prop up the food bank, Richard acknowledged, but getting money from the government isn't easy.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was taken aback by how hard it is to apply for federal funding for food security SA国际影视传媒� one of the biggest epidemics in the country. Nunavut is eight times higher than the national average for food insecurity,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 literally spent the last three months applying for grants and getting one box not ticked and having (the application) come back.SA国际影视传媒�