Nourish Food Bank Makes Its Return in New Bigger Space

“A huge relief” is felt in the Quesnel community as the Nourish Food Bank announces it has found a new home.

After a little over two months since the Nourish Food Bank was lost in a structure fire in May, the Nourish Food Bank will be regrowing its roots at 138 McLean St in Quesnel.

The food bank continued to provide food services to the community out of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)’s clinical offices. Elaine Laberge, Executive Director for CMHA of Northern BC, says there were challenges in the setup while CMHA looked for a new location.

“We’ve relied heavily on the Food Banks BC to provide gift cards for food. But now that we’ve got a proper space, we can actually start taking donations, replenishing our food, and rebuilding. We’re able to say to the community, we are still here.”

Laberge says the new space on McLean Street is larger than the previous location, and will allow the food bank to “hit the ground running” for the community. The new location is more accessible for all the community, proper shelving, more and enough freezers to store food. Laberge mentions there is “potential in the new space” to be bigger and better than before.

“It’s going to be a big relief to our clients when they see that it’s going to be easier to get to, and our ability to stock, store, and to ensure food care continuity is going to be there,” says Laberge.

“We know that Canadian Food Banks are under a lot of pressure, and we know the need is growing in Quesnel.”

During the two months since the fire, Nourish was able to continue to serve the community. With the help of Food Banks BC, but the community itself stepped in as well. Laberge said community members stepped up the day after the fire in May. Donating freezers and refridgerators, non-pershiable food items, and more equipment to keep food distributing.

For the new space, Laberge and CMHA will be reaching out the community for help with some renovations in the McLean Street location.

She also says there is already shipments of food on the way, with over 200 cases of cereal expected to arrive at the McLean Street location this week.

Laberge and CMHA want to extend their gratitude to the community of Quesnel, and the Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association who provided emergency funding, and Food Banks BC.

“We would have been in dire straights without these associations and communities,” Laberge says. “We at the CMHA are pleased to be able to continue to support Nourish Food Bank, and demonstrate that in this new space.”