FROM SOUP KITCHENS TO FOOD BANKS

By Carolyn Mont
Most of us tend to think  of  Food Banks as something relatively new and those who benefit from them as
being  products of our modern world.   In many  ways this is true but in Halifax we have a long history of
helping the  unfortunate among us.  
For example, after the War  of  1812, there were Soup Kitchens on the Grand Parade in downtown Halifax.  Samuel Cunard (yes, he who founded the  Cunard  Steamship Company, at one time the largest steamship company in the
world)  worked at that Soup Kitchen.   He and his  wife Susan donated food and then served it to the
hungry.  This is a long way from  modern food banks, in  both time and style but the need and the support are
  similar.
 
I was reminded of this  when I  attended the opening events of Feed Nova Scotia’s annual conference in
  September.  Throughout the  evening,  various food banks were recognized for the work they do. 
Each offers more than just food and it was  easy to see the dedication in  each individual food bank.  Of
course, as Chair of the Board of St.  Paul’s Family Resources Institute, (FRI),  I was waiting to hear what would be  said about our food bank.   We were the  last ones mentioned and Feed Nova Scotia recognized the
national award that was  given to St. Paul’s FRI Food Bank in the spring.  At that time, Food Banks Canada gave
just 3  national awards for Excellence in Food Banking, one for small food  banks, one  for medium sized food banks and one for large food banks.  St. Paul’s Family Resources Institute   received the award for small food banks.
 
At FRI, which is the  outreach  ministry of St. Paul’s United Church in Spryfield, we are not just a
food  bank.  We offer a lot of  services to our  clients and hearing them all listed together, it was obvious
why we had been  recognized by Food Banks Canada.   We have  a Food Bank Café where clients can have coffee and a snack while  waiting to pick  up their order rather than waiting out in the cold and/or rain;
we offer a  volunteer income tax service to those with limited income; Dal Legal  Aid is  often on hand to address concerns individuals may have; we’re fine  tuning our  Food, Fitness and Fun class; nursing students are often on hand to  offer advice;  our minister, Reverend Jeanne Manning Stright is in attendance to  meet and talk  with the clients; nursing students from Mount Saint Vincent  University provide  tips on health and nutrition; and the Book Buddies program  has been  successful.
 
Our programs change from  time  to time due to need, funding and volunteers.  This was certainly true in the past as well and means we must be aware of   what is happening in the community.   Right now, we are preparing for our busiest time of the year,   Christmas.  Last year, FRI  provided  Christmas baskets of food to more than 150 families. 
We also had a large toy store set up where  clients were able to choose  toys for their children.
 
As in the days when Samuel   Cunard worked at a Soup Kitchen on the Grand Parade, those organizations which
  help the poor also need help.  The  style  of delivery has changed but the need is still there.   At the FRI Food Bank, we get help from the  United Church, from Feed Nova  Scotia, from private donors and from many  volunteers. 
Our date to give out  Christmas baskets is December 18 and the work all  gets done before that.  If you  would like to help as a volunteer or  as donor of new toys, food or money please  call Kristen Hollery at 479-1015 or  e-mail her at [email protected].