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Food Bank work continuing

Community has donated $123,530, plus $53,001 worth of in-kind donations
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Construction on the food bank at St. Joseph’s church is underway again.

Another fundraising push is on by organizers for the St. Joseph’s Food Bank to bring the building to lock up.

“We’re also working on connecting services to the building,” said Ron Leger, one of the main individuals behind the fundraising campaign.

At this point, said Leger, an additional $55,300 is needed to bring the project to lock up, which is where the roof, windows, doors, siding, etc., is installed. The interior work then commences, and this is estimated to ring up a $92,500 tab.

The building is located on Seventh Avenue, adjacent to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

A food bank operated out of the basement of the church for about 15 years, but demand grew to the point where the food bank needed a free-standing building. The structure will be a two-storey building, designed to look like a small church, with 1,860 square feet on each floor.

The foundation costs increased, said Leger, and the parking lot is now located below the site.

An additional $6,000 of aggregate was donated by Mainland and Lafarge, bringing that total donation to $15,000, he said. Trucking costs went up $6,000, plus a few others, which has put a completed estimate at $400,000 compared to the budgeted $340,000.

A number of community members, businesses and service organizations have contributed to the project, and so far, $123,530 have been received, while $53,001 of in-kind donations were provided.

 

Quick facts

• In 1996, the food bank began to grow, adding four new volunteers to assist the two original volunteers.

• In 2008, the food bank became a member of the B.C. Food Bank Association; St. Joseph’s became the registered food bank for Mission.

• For the 12 month period ended July 31, 2012, $701,400 worth of food was distributed in the community at a cost of $13,000. 3,340 clients were served.

• Since 2008, it became apparent that the church basement was not a practical location to distribute food as it is designed and used for meetings, receptions and gatherings.

• In December 2009, the Archbishop of Vancouver agreed in principle to allow construction of a food bank facility on land located at St. Joseph’s Parish.

• In June 2011, the municipality approved the building plans.

• In September 2011, the final site preparation started; the foundation was completed in January 2012, and electricity was hooked up July 2012.