The goal of Grunthal's Meal Program is to provide meals for ageing people and help them stay in their homes.
Over the past few years, the number of people receiving meals has declined.
Carrie Bilawchuk’s role is to act as a liaison between the board and the meal program and ensure the program is operational. She says that there may be multiple factors that contribute to the fall in numbers.
“As people start to age, maybe they are choosing to go move to a building or a facility that provides meal programs or no longer staying in their homes. I don't know if there's a lot of alternative support either through churches or other community supports,” Bilawchuk says. “Otherwise, I don't know if it's just a declining population or if it's just kind of a lull in the services, and it will pick up eventually. I'm not really sure,”
As a registered not-for-profit organization, she says they operate on funding they receive from Southern Health.
“Serving Seniors apply to Southern Health-Santé Sud for grant funding for our cook. The funding that we receive is for salary. Any money that is generated from the program goes back to the community. It all stays in Grunthal because I would say 95% of our shopping and our groceries are purchased in the community, at Grunthal Grocery. The majority of what's generated from the program, the sale of the meals goes back to the program,” she explains.
The average target is to give out ten meals per day, a goal they are struggling to reach consistently. She adds that the number of meals given out has been “trending downward” in recent years.
“There has been mention of the possibility of decreasing funding. Maybe putting the program down a couple of days a week, so it's not going to be full-time. Or pulling funding permanently for that program unless we can increase the numbers,” she says.
The solution to keeping the program running is community participation and financial support. They are looking for volunteers and will accept donations for the program and its operational costs.
Those interested in receiving meals can contact the program at (204) 434-6982 by 9 AM to start receiving meals the same day. Accessing the menu can be done by calling in for delivery or pick-up.
“We are pretty flexible in how you can receive your meals. You can receive them just when you call. You can sign up for five days a week. Or you can sign up for Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. As long as we are aware of what your needs are or what you are wanting, then we can be flexible in that,” she explains.
Finally, Bilawchuk says those looking to eat with others in the community can do so at the Grunthal Meal Program.
“You can also stop at the program and speak to the cook herself. Have a conversation with her, and you're welcome to join them in the dining room there as well,” she says. “Not only do you have the option to have them delivered to your home, but you can also come out and eat with the community.”
With files from Carly Koop.