An Emergency Food Distribution Centre has been set-up at the Vermilion Bay Lions Hall to help those impacted by COVID-19.
The program is for Machin area residents requiring access to the Dryden Food Bank or for those who feel they need the food service during the health crisis.
Shirley Koroniak says it’s a joint effort between the Dryden Food Bank, Northwestern Health Unit, Vermilion Bay Lions Club and Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.
The Lions Club member says “The idea for this was sparked by the knowledge that the school’s Nutrition program was no longer going to be available. And because our school here in Vermilion Bay did have food on hand for that program, the Northwestern Health Unit has authorized them to divert the food stock to us for this purpose.”
Koroniak adds “There’s a lot of people in the area that will be short on funds and will possibly be needing the services of a program such as this.”
If you are a client of the Dryden Food Bank living in the Machin area and would like your hamper delivered to the Vermilion Bay Lions Hall, please contact the Food Bank to arrange to have it dropped off at the Hall.
If you are not, currently, a client of the Food Bank but are now finding yourself in a situation in which you require their services, you are asked to contact the Vermilion Bay Lions first. You will be provided with a hamper code. You than contact the Food Bank with that code and arrange for delivery to Vermilion Bay.
To protect the privacy of all clients, the Dryden Food Bank will release all personal information to the Vermilion Bay Lions only if authorized by the client.
Anyone with questions can contact Doris St. Jules at doris.st.jules@kpdsb.ca or 807-355-1230.
Shirley Koroniak says they are also looking for public support in the form of donations.
Koroniak says Vermilion Bay Co-op has a bin where you can drop-off food items, purchased in-store, during business hours.
A donation jar is available at the Co-op as well as Eagles Junction.
Any food items can be dropped off at the Vermilion Bay Lions Hall every Saturday from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
-Please leave your items on the table outside the side handicap access door.
-Please maintain a safe distance when dropping off items.
-Items must be sealed in their original packaging and have not reached best before date.
-Donation jar will be on-site.
To hear more from Shirley Koroniak, visit the Audio link below.
