Government House visitors help stock Agape Table hampers

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This article was published 18/12/2023 (678 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Furby Street church basement is bustling with activity, as volunteers dice potatoes, tomatoes and a variety of peppers. Others sort a mixture of cookies and baked goods to be sent out in food hampers.

Anthony Imhanlahimi, 53, wears a smile on his face Monday morning, while spreading peanut butter and strawberry jam on slices of bread. His laugh can be heard throughout the room.

Imhanlahimi moved to Winnipeg from Nigeria on Nov. 7 to be with his wife and three children.

He’s been coming to Agape Table — the community-based food-distribution charity that operates out of space at Wave Church — since moving to the city because he feels it’s important to help those who are less fortunate.

“We don’t do anything like this in my country, you know?” he said. “I was actually shocked when I saw this going on and so I wanted to contribute because it’s supposed to be for everybody.”

On Monday, Agape Table received a donation of nearly 225 kilograms of food in preparation for Christmas via Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville and the Sharing Hope Initiative.

Cereal, pasta, canned soup and other non-perishable food items were collected over the last few months from visitors at Government House.

The delivery means Agape Table can put more items in its hampers. Guests will also have more choice in what food they take to supplement meals at home.

“When you help one another, you bring bonding, co-existence and improve the relationship of (the) community,” said Imhanlahimi. “People are happy to come together and work together. It’s a ripple effect.”

The donation also comes at a time when Agape Table is serving breakfast to anywhere from 600 to 800 guests each morning.

In 2019, it assisted 80,000 people; Agape Table is expecting that number to be more than 150,000 Winnipeggers by the end of the year, executive director Jim Steep said.

“I love Agape Table and what it stands for and what it means and everything about it,” Steep said. “It’s just crazy how much food we put through here in a year. It’s just the kind hearts of people in Winnipeg and Manitoba helping us out all the time.”

Volunteers are excited to see donations of any size coming into the charity, Steep said, but often have more arriving during the holiday season.

“It’s just crazy how much food we put through here in a year. It’s just the kind hearts of people in Winnipeg and Manitoba helping us out all the time.”–Jim Steep, executive director, Agape Table

Agape Table has seen an increase in newcomers both using the food bank and volunteering, he added.

“People are more in the giving spirit, so we get more food in so we are able to give more food out,” Steep said. “People enjoy coming here, they enjoy their time here and we like to think that everybody leaves with a smile on their face.”

Neville said she has plans to continue the Sharing Hope Initiative next year, adding she is pleased with the contributions from Government House visitors.

“It feels very humbling,” Neville said after stopping to chat with volunteers while donations were brought in.

“It’s a very hard time of year when people are in need, when people are hungry and when it gets cold out. It’s really Winnipeg pulling together.”

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca