The Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation has made the difficult decision to suspend its hot meal program.
Community liaison officer Jason Gilmore says it will no longer be able to run after this Wednesday, January 31st, due to financial constraints.
"If there were any community organizations or partners that were willing to continue this program in some form, DNRC would be more than happy to donate our space. But as far as people equity funding, we are not in a position to go forward. Now saying that we are continuing with our breakfast program moving forward as it stands currently, which is Monday to Friday from 9 am until 10:30."
Gilmore adds it is unfortunate that they can not continue this program, which was created after a one-time grant from the Canadian Red Cross.
"In total between the hot meal and the breakfast programs, we served approximately 13,000 meals (in 2023) in the community. So just purely by those numbers, you can see the need there, and we all know that with inflation and food security issues, it is definitely a point of need in the community."
Gilmore says they are open to having other groups come forward and offer a similar program.
"As it stands right now, we are going to have a hot meal on the first Monday of each month. And that is through Parkside Gospel Church. And they have been helpful with us through 2023, by doing that. So they are coming and using our space and buying the groceries, and they have enough help. So that is kind of the model going forward if we were to do something."
Any groups interested in exploring something like this can contact Gilmore at 204-701-1110.
