A $10,000 grant from FCC will help the Carman and Area Food Pantry increase the storage and shelf-life of the food it distributes.
The group plans to use the money to purchase two large refrigerators for its operation.
"Right now, we don't have the capacity or the ability to keep refrigerated items over any stretch of time. We kind of have to get them and distribute them within a day or two," explained Evelyn Rempel Petkau, a founding board member of the food pantry. "This will allow us to accept some of those kinds of donations and also store them for a longer term."
That includes fresh produce, which Rempel Petkau noted, is a treat to be able to offer their clients.
Additionally, the hope is to also purchase an outdoor sign to go up outside the pantry, located in the basement of the Carman Mennonite Church, indicating the day and times it's open.
The organization, which just marked its second anniversary, serves the Town of Carman and R.M.s of Grey, Roland, Dufferin and Thompson. According to Rempel Petkau, during last distribution day, which happens every four weeks, 185 households were registered to access goods at the food pantry.
"They don't always all show up, but the numbers just keep growing," she added, noting the area is representative of the rest of Canada.
According to Food Banks Canada, in March 2024, there were over 2 million visits to the country's food banks— the highest number in history — representing a 6 per cent increase compared to 2023, and a 90 per cent increase compared to 2019.
The organization added, there are also signs that the food-banking system in Canada is reaching its absolute limit.
Rempel Petkau says the Carman Food Pantry's ability to meet demand is thanks to monthly donations from Harvest Manitoba and a generous community.
"We have a very generous potato farmer who donates potatoes every time [...] and just the past month, the Dufferin Christian School ran a campaign throughout the whole town saying they would collect groceries from anyone who would leave them out on their doorsteps, and they brought a tremendous amount of food in. We have lots of support from businesses and stores. It's wonderful to be part of such a supportive community."
Rempel Petkau continued to express her gratitude to FCC for this latest grant and, again, to the community.
"Without them, we wouldn't be able to serve this large number of people. They have been so supportive. We have never had to wonder, where are we going to get food to fill our shelves."
The FCC grant is through the organizations AgriSpirit Fund which, over the past 21 years, has supported 1,697 projects, an investment of $22.5 million.