Piikani Nation sees successful opening of first food bank in Brocket, Alta.

The Piikani Nation in southern Alberta has been operating its first meals financial institution for simply over a month now, after officers say a number of previous makes an attempt to open a facility have been unsuccessful.

Co-ordinator Jody Little Wolf says the necessity for such a service was highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The nation simply felt there was a have to have our personal important service because the meals financial institution, so that they labored very arduous to determine that,” she stated.

Since January 1, 2021, the Piikani Meals Financial institution has been operating out of the Peigan Neighborhood Corridor in Brocket, Alta., providing perishable, non-perishable, and frozen meals.

3:44Calgary Meals Financial institution in want of volunteers

Donations primarily come from a partnership with the Calgary Household Peer Connections (CFPC), a non-profit who helps distribute rescued meals throughout southern Alberta.

“We’re capable of (share) meals with them, that comes into us, that their nation can use and to assist their wholesome residing and meals wants,” stated CFPC founder Jaquie Duhasek.

Little Wolf says the neighborhood has additionally been chipping in over the previous month.

“They’ve been actually nice about coming in and donating, and volunteering their time,” Little Wolf stated. “Certainly one of our council members, Wes Crowshoe, donated two upright freezers.”

Previous to its opening, Piikani Nation members must journey to close by cities equivalent to Pincher Creek and Fort MacLeod for meals providers, one thing that wasn’t sustainable.

Hope Grier-Stewart, director of social improvement for the nation, says roughly 200 to 300 households in the neighborhood are in want of the service on reserve, and they’re hoping to discourage journey to different communities throughout COVID-19.

“Earlier than it was sort of hit and miss in the event you have been eligible, or in the event you have been capable of get some help within the neighbouring cities,” she defined. “So now that it’s right here on the nation, there’s no turning anybody away.”

Grier-Stewart says the Aakom-Kiyii Well being Companies requested her division assist out with different requirements as nicely.

“The (well being centre) had requested that we donate some cleansing provides, so yeah it was sort of a quick course of.”

She says she orders provides equivalent to bleach, and well being staff assist to distribute them to these in isolation because of COVID-19, who couldn’t in any other case store for the objects.

“They arrive right here they usually decide up a meals basket, and likewise some cleansing provides for the properties.” she stated.

Building can be being carried out throughout the Peigan Neighborhood Corridor to develop a kitchen, with the purpose of serving sizzling meals.