Tories say cupboard bare for Agape Table soup kitchen

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This article was published 25/11/2017 (2931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Families Minister Scott Fielding promised Friday to meet with organizers of Agape Table over the Winnipeg soup kitchen’s search for a new home — but isn’t promising any money.

New Democratic Party MLA Rob Altemeyer told the legislature Friday that Agape Table has to leave its space at 175 Colony St. in three months because the site will be turned into community housing. He said its kitchen feeds 450 people a day, and he urged the families minister to meet with Agape Table representatives.

“Absolutely,” Fielding said, in a rare one-word answer.

When Altemeyer pushed for more, Fielding said he’s volunteered at Agape Table three or four times.

“I’ve committed to meeting with them,” he said, but can’t commit funding. “There’s not all the money in the world to do these things.”

Agape executive director Steve Prokopec said Friday that Fielding already had agreed to a meeting.

“Saturday, March 3, is our last day here,” Prokopec said. “We are looking at relocating to premises that are existing; we’re looking at West Broadway,” where the soup kitchen was established 38 years ago. It has been in its current location for the past 28.

Agape could buy, rent or even cook in one place and serve in another, Prokopec said, though that would require vehicles and more staff. The daily soup kitchen needs a minimum of 2,000 square feet to feed 450 people, he said, plus a commercial kitchen and food storage area.

“A commercial kitchen could be $250,000 to $350,000. That’s starting from scratch,” Prokopec said.

Meanwhile, Fielding pointed out he had volunteered Thursday at Siloam Mission.

And he reminded the house that the Manitoba government is a major supporter of that Winnipeg charity organization.

“We’re investing over $3 million” for an expansion of beds at Siloam, he said.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew wouldn’t say whether he believes the government is funding some shelters, but not others.

“The issue with Agape Table is unique,” he told reporters. “Agape is scrambling to find new digs. They (government) should also be committed to helping them find new space.”

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca