FoodMesh distributes $160,100 of food

By Joan Janzen

FoodMesh in Kindersley started working on the Retail Food Recovery Program in July of 2021. Its motto is “Give food a second chance.” During the six months it has been operating, FoodMesh has been able to help families from Kindersley and the surrounding area, thanks to the partnership of Buy-Low Foods and the additional help of Family Foods and Kerrobert Bakery. Word is getting out, and people are coming from throughout the region to receive groceries. People from Leader, Kerrobert, Brock, Eston, Flaxcombe and Oyen are benefitting.

Food donations weighed in at an accumulated 61,924 pounds over six months, valued at $160,104.00, the equivalent of 46,814 meals! Donations of food include dairy, deli, meat/seafood, produce, grocery and bakery items. The food is picked up every afternoon on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, brought to the Kindersley Christian Fellowship kitchen, sorted and distributed later in the evening. Every Friday, food is picked up and delivered to Dawnview apartments.

Barbe Dunn, coordinator of FoodMesh, said there are fifteen volunteers involved. Three teams of four oversee the distribution, and additional volunteers do the pick-ups. The customers who benefit by receiving groceries are very grateful.

“They’re thankful to have enough food, and there’s a sense of relief,” Barbe said. “It takes the pressure off, so finances can go to other essentials.” Not only is the food beneficial, but people receive encouragement as they’re helped through a tough time. “There’s a sense of no longer being invisible,” she noted.

Comments made by recipients have been liberally spiced with gratitude. “We couldn’t make it without you.” “Finally, some meat; haven’t had any for at least a month.” “It’s nice to have special things for our kids.” “There’s so much selection!” “There’s less strain at home because our resources can go to other areas.” “So glad we have been able to make new friends. It’s good to get out and see other people.”

Another comment that’s heard is “How can I help?” and the recipients also become volunteers who provide valuable assistance. For the unemployed, it offers social interaction, organizational skills and restores self-confidence as they build relationships. Like the food, volunteering doesn’t cost anything but provides numerous benefits that can often prove to be as essential as groceries.

Everyone benefits from FoodMesh - including seniors on a fixed income, single parents, the unemployed, families with bills that exceed their income, and many more.

“And for the volunteers, there’s satisfaction in helping meet other people’s needs, not just groceries,” Barbe concluded.

Volunteers, Chester Dobni and Barbe Dunn, deliver food donations from Buy-Low Foods to the Kindersley Christian Fellowship building.

Photo by Joan Janzen