Moose Jaw is a community well known for its generosity. When the local food bank had to close its doors following an unexpected and uninsured water leak on March 8, there have been few greater demonstrations of this spirit than the successful six-day campaign that raised the funds needed to re-open its doors.
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank has confirmed that it will re-open on Friday, March 15, with extended hours running from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
“We’ve made up every single hamper (using every container) we could possibly make one in to be ready tomorrow,” said Deann Little, the food bank’s development and warehouse manager.
“I’ve got more hands on deck tomorrow to start making them up again as fast as they’re going to be going out the door. So yes — we will be up and running and open tomorrow.”
With $23,965 raised from the projected goal of $30,000 – which covers the worst-case scenario cost estimate – the food bank’s Go Fund Me campaign is now 79.8 per cent completed as of early March 14.
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank first discovered the water line issue on March 8, and in addition to closing the facility for everyone’s safety, the local non-profit learned that the estimated $24,000 - $30,000 cost of repairs was not covered by insurance.
To help out, a long-time volunteer by the name of John Thomson launched a Go Fund Me campaign which, with the help of a supportive community, raised almost the entire amount in only six days.
“We definitely want to give a shout out to a few different places that have helped us financially,” Little said.
A few of these donors included Keon’s Garden Centre, Discount Plumbing & Heating, Spike’s Grooming, Kinettes Club of Moose Jaw, and the Maple Leaf Bakery who launched a fundraiser by selling donuts with proceeds supporting the food bank.
On the morning of March 14, the owner of the Grant Hall Hotel, Terry Tian, along with Qiang (Kelvin) Hu, president of the Moose Jaw Chinese Community Network and others stopped by to deliver a cheque in person.
The Mosaic Company covered half the total cost in one single donation with an astounding $15,000 donated on March 13.
“We’re happy this will help you get your operations back to normal soon! Thanks for all you do for the community of Moose Jaw,” a representative of The Mosaic Company wrote to the food bank.
“It’s not just the bigger donations – there were people who gave $5 and $20, and those are just as important as any larger donation, because it all adds up in the end. Every dollar makes a difference,” Little said.
“We want to thank everybody who has helped us through this, whether it’s the workers or the people who helped us financially, we just want to thank everybody.”
The Go Fund Me campaign is still ongoing, and as of the morning of March 14, $6,035 remains to be raised before the campaign is concluded. To donate, visit GoFundMe.com and search for “Moose Jaw & District Food Bank Plumbing Repairs.”
If you wish to bypass the Go Fund Me campaign entirely, donations are also being accepted at MJFoodBank.org/Donate and Little confirmed that 100 per cent of proceeds raised online reach the local food bank.
The food bank’s hamper program will continue with pickup available this Friday, March 15 and again on Monday, March 18, with extended hours running from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The surplus program that normally runs on hamper pickup days will not take place on those two dates. The reason, Little explained, is simply due to overwhelming circumstances as staff and volunteers race to fill as many food hampers as possible.
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West and can be reached at 306-692-2911.
“It has been incredible. My heart just melts (when I see) how much our city pulls together when one organization or business has issues, and so many people come together to help each other. That’s what I love about this community — that we just continuously help each other.”
