The Food Bank Society of Whitehorse will receive a one-time $750,000 grant from the Yukon government to assist with the purchase of its current home at 306 Alexander Street.

The building and lot are currently owned by the Association franco-yukonnaise (AFY). When the AFY decided to sell the property it offered the food bank an opportunity to purchase. The AFY will carry the balance of the mortgage and the food bank will make monthly payments.

“Our government is committed to working in partnership with organizations which have demonstrated their ability to make strong contributions to our community,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said. “The Whitehorse Food Bank is an excellent example of this, and we’re pleased to support a group with such generous volunteers and tireless staff.”

The food bank’s downtown location provides easy access for food bank clients. One of the society’s long-term goals is to renovate the building to provide rental space for other non-governmental organizations, and to create space for a community-type centre that would provide services to a similar client group.

“It’s evident that the food bank is an important component of social safety and health in Whitehorse,” Minister of Health and Social Services Doug Graham said. “We hope this funding will enable the food bank to continue its invaluable support and help those who are struggling to meet basic needs.”

This funding is in line with the government’s Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction strategic plan and supports its newly released Wellness Plan for Yukon’s Children and Families, both of which aim to improve food security.

“Since the food bank opened its doors in April 2009 the demand for our services has quadrupled,” Whitehorse Food Bank president Stu Mackay said “Sustainability has been one of the top priorities of the board and staff. This grant goes a long way towards securing sustainability for such an important service supported by the citizens of Yukon, and we’d like to thank the Yukon government for their contribution.”

Association franco-yukonnaise president Angélique Bernard added: “We are proud to have been a partner in this project, and to help the Food Bank continue its mandate of helping the less fortunate in our community. On behalf of l’AFY, I wish a good continuation with its projects.”

The Food Bank Society of Whitehorse supplies emergency food hampers to more than 1,300 individuals on a monthly basis. Supported by more than 50 volunteers, who donate more than 700 hours per month, the food bank is considered an important part of the fight to alleviate hunger and poverty in Yukon.