The Kitimat Food Bank is not moving, or at least not yet.
Food Bank President Marjorie Phelps says they’re hanging on and will stay in their location in the lower City Centre Mall for right now.
And while their rent has increased, she said it’s still manageable for the short term. That’s partially thanks to the support of local industries who are in town for the projects.
That said the organization is open to alternative locations.
“Right now I think we’re okay,” she said about being in their usual location.
Even if they suddenly had to leave she said there have been offers from people to store the food while they move.
A local church has offered their space to run a food bank as well but Phelps said they’re hoping to find a location that’s convenient for their clients.
The food bank is currently serving about 110 active families, she said, but their number of clients is actually down from early last fall.
“We are down, we’re down from early last fall, but we still have our main core group, and we had four new people come in last week.”
One couple which recently came in were both working, she said, but had no place to stay.
But as for some of their former usual clients, she thinks many have moved on from Kitimat.
“I think what happened is many of our people have left or moved in with family,” she said. “We notice a few people that are not coming in anymore and I don’t see them around town.”