It takes a village

North Kildonan

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This article was published 15/11/2023 (1038 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A North Kildonan resource centre is hoping the community will dig deep to help support it and those who use it this holiday season.

The Community Roots Resource Centre, based at Jubilee Mennonite Church at 365 Edelweiss Cres., regularly hosts community kitchen classes, family drop-in programs, a community garden, an emergency food pantry, and more. With inflation and other pressures, Community Roots is looking for help.

“I’m the only one here right now, so it’s challenging to do programming and find grants, trying to meet the community and meet their needs,” said Pam Jansen, who took over as executive director in September after acting as interim ED earlier this spring. “It is busy, but it’s great. It’s a great community. Being in North Kildonan, people think you don’t need an emergency food pantry, but it is a much-needed support. There are these issues everywhere.”

The emergency food pantry currently has a budget of $500 to buy food for those in need. Manitoba Harvest also supplies the pantry with food every two weeks. Still, demand is greater than supply.

“Our food pantry is always in need,” Jansen said. “People can drop food off with us anytime, just ring the doorbell at the church. We’d love to see you.”

In the lead up to the holiday season, Community Roots will pair of events to raise money for a community Christmas dinner, to be held on Dec. 7. The first is a Christmas craft market on Saturday, Nov. 18.

“We’ll have approximately 20 vendors,” Jansen said. “All proceeds from table rentals will be donated towards our Christmas dinner. Hopefully people will come to this. There will be baking and coffee and tea available, come and get some Christmas shopping done, from knitting to baking to pottery, all that good stuff. All local vendors. Admission is free.”

The second event is a candlelight yoga event to be held on Sunday, Nov. 26. Tickets are $25, with all proceeds going tothe Christmas dinner, which will be free for families in need.

“We’re having a big community dinner, your typical turkey, mashed potatoes, veggies for people in the community,” Jansen said. “We’re also combining it with our Toy Tea. Parents can register their kids, we’ll do family photos in front of the tree, kids can do crafts.”

Dinner guests will also have a chance to provide feedback on the services Community Roots provides, to help shape strategic goals for the new year.

“It’s a good way for us to talk to the community,” Jansen said.