Healthy and Hearty Meals Provided in Thunder Bay

Support for those living with food security and homelessness in Thunder Bay will get a boost from the 2022 Food Security Fund.

The Journey to Life Centre received nearly $46,000 from the District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB), which supports food security programs to address and prevent homelessness in the District of Thunder Bay.

“Our programs providing food assistance are seeing increasing numbers of people accessing the services. Rising costs are making it more difficult for them to meet all their needs.  We are grateful to receive this support from TBDSSAB’s Food Security Fund which enables us to meet food insecurity in our community,” said Gary Ferguson, Executive Director of the Journey to Life Centre.

With the funding, those accessing the soup van will receive a heartier meal every night, consisting of soup, sandwich, pastry, and a drink. The food bank will have funds to ensure healthy food is included with the hampers. The School Breakfast Program will continue to feed 60 children a day during the school year and will provide a snack program through the summer months at local parks.

“As inflation is increasing, the number of people accessing our services is rising. The soup van is serving 100 to 120 people a night and the food bank is providing 80 to 100 hampers a week,” Gary said.

Those receiving support in Thunder Bay are grateful to have the soup van and food hampers available in times of need.

“I had a financial emergency, so this is lifesaving. And, with the rising cost of everything, I think I will need to depend on this more because I am a single, sole-support, parent,” said one client.

Another said, “Thank you for helping me and my toddler. I am about to graduate from Early Childhood Education and ran out of student loans, so until I get a job this will be lifesaving. Thank you and God Bless!”