The Lakeshore Co-Op just presented a $10,000 cheque to YWCA NWT and saw hundreds of its members donate food hampers at its annual food drive.
The Co-op is located at 321 Old Airport Rd in Yellowknife and was bustling with activity this weekend. Many shoppers are stopping to talk with YWCA NWT staff and volunteers, sharing smiles and hugs and of course picking up a food hamper for donation. Hundreds of food hampers that were packed up in advance of the food drive have been piling up quickly into the donation bins.
Many a Yellowknifer stopped by the Co-Op to donate a $30 pre-packed food hamper filled with non-perishable food items, which will go directly to the YWCA NWT to support local women and families in need.
Mark Needham, who is president of the Lakeshore Co-Op board of directors, and Justin Nelson, who is the Co-Op manager presented YWCA NWT with a $10,000 cheque this afternoon. Julie Green, who is president of the YWCA NWT, accepted the donation on behalf of YCCA NWT.
The Co-op has long supported food security and local grass-roots programs sharing common missions of social equity and empowerment. Staff and volunteers of the YWCA NWT including Green worked alongside the Co-op team to pack and move the food hampers for donation.
Hundreds of food hampers have been packed up in advance of the event, and Nelson told True North FM that he expects all of the hampers will be sold very soon.
“There’s a lot of food insecurity in Yellowknife and in the surrounding areas. And of course, being a community grocery store that’s owned by our members, it’s important for our members to give back to the community. And that’s why we do events like this. So we’re very happy to be able to donate ten thousand dollars to the YWCA and provide hampers for people that during these times shouldn’t really have to think about food.”
Needham said that members of the Co-Op board of directors focused on what they know their member-owners want, to guide priorities for giving back to the community.
“What our member-owners want: And it’s all about food, security and helping out a number of organizations, through food drives and other initiatives.”
Nelson explained that Lakeshore Co-Op members are big on sharing.
“The one thing about Co-Op members here, they’re very generous. We do a number of food drives throughout the year and they are well supported by our membership. There are a lot of Yellowknifers here that love the community and they want to make sure everybody in the community has a chance to celebrate holidays and have food on their table. Everybody should have food, have access to food. And with our membership, they always love the fact that they’re supporting our city, our community.”
Nelson explained that the Co-Op has had a great relationship with the YWCA NWT throughout the years.
The local YWCA was founded in 1966 to provide housing for single working women. Since that time, the YWCA has offered various services to women, girls and families in Yellowknife and surrounding areas. Housing is a main focus of the YWCA’s mandate, along with shelter from family violence, afterschool care for children and empowerment programs.
The local YWCA is lead by a team of professionals and volunteers who work hard to deliver services and programs to individuals and families.
Green explained that housing is a core service of the organization which is why they had the food drive today, for the people who live in transitional housing.
Green said that donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene product are always appreciated at the organization.
The organization also offers after-school care and family connections.
“We also provide shelter for women fleeing violence at the Alison McAteer House,” explained Green.
Finding affordable, housing is the biggest challenge for the people the organization works with said Green.
“Having affordable housing, suitable housing, big enough for your family, those are always challenges here. We find that people often come to us because we have a lot of support for people to develop good tendency records so that they can go into the private market if they’re able to, if they have enough money to, but in the meantime we provide housing that is safe, it’s affordable and it comes with a lot of support. We find that there are lots of people who are interested in that and they come from all over the NWT, they’re not just from Yellowknife.”
Green said anyone the YWCA NWT has a growing team of professional staff and volunteers onboard.
“We advertise from time to time for board members. So if you’re interested in that role, keep your eyes peeled. As for the board members, we hire a lot of staff,” said Green.
