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Dryden Food Bank

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Dryden Food Bank takes next step to completing Project Hope

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Progress is being made on the Dryden Food Bank’s ambitious Project Hope.

After having its official groundbreaking in October, this week marked the start of phase two – preparing footings for concrete to be poured on the new building.

It marks an important step for the Dryden Food Bank’s expansion and ability to soon distribute food to more people in the region.

“Shovels are in the ground,” says Al Huckabay, manager of the Dryden Food Bank. “We are hoping to get all of the work done on the addition part with all of the footings and stuff done before frost kicks in and get some walls up and a roof on before the snow flies.”

Project Hope has been in the works since 2023 when the Dryden Food Bank purchased a building with the intention to expand its facility.

Since that time, organizers have been busy trying to fundraise in order to push the project to the second phase.

With two-thirds of the $1.5 million now collected, Huckabay says it is a sign that building is closer to completion.

“Our target is looking to open in in spring or summer of next year,” says Huckabay. “(We hope) to be totally operational by the fall of next year in our new building.”

He says once the project is complete, it will allow the Dryden Food Bank to increase capacity and be able to distribute more food, especially to the region at large.

“We will become a distribution point (for) the surrounding First Nation communities and food banks in this area, like Sioux Lookout and Red Lake,” adds Huckabay.

“Instead of trucks having to go all the way to Thunder Bay and then having to ship things back into this area, some of those trucks will be able to stop off here in Dryden, drop off the products and then our volunteers will then break it down into smaller amounts to be able to distribute out to the areas around.”

Huckabay says one of the ultimate goals of the project was to build sustainable relationships with First Nation communities.

“The next stage is continuing on in looking for funding,” says Huckabay. “We’re still looking to raise that extra $500,000 that would put us over the top to be able to just really complete the project from start to finish.”

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Dryden Food Bank seeing more visitors than year ago

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The manager of the Dryden Food Bank says more people are coming their doors than in 2024.

Al Huckabay says around two per cent more people are using the local food bank on a monthly basis than last year.

He says newcomers who have expired work visas and are out of work make up the most noticable jump in clients, followed by families.

“Because of the cost of food,” says Al Huckabay. “They’re just finding it hard to make ends meet, even though some of them are still working.”

He adds the rising cost of housing and heating is also driving many new clients to use the Dryden Food Bank.

Huckabay says the rising cost of food, in particular, isn’t just contributing to more people needing the food bank’s services.

“We rely on donations,” says Huckabay, adding that includes government and public grants. “Sometimes our grants are drying up or getting smaller and yet the price of food continues to go up so we’re not able to utilize the bang for the buck to try and purchase food (so) we’re able to purchase less food but using more money.”

He says that is forcing Dryden Food Bank to limit handouts as they stretch the food on their shelves as far as possible.

Earlier this week, Food Banks Canada announced that monthly visits to food banks were up 5 per cent nationally over 2024.

In a study, the agency found food banks in Canada saw nearly 2.2 million visits in a single month.

That is double the monthly usage recorded just six years ago.

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Audio: Rhythm On Range Postponed

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Dryden’s big outdoor concert series has been postponed due to COVID-19 crowd restrictions.

‘Rhythm on the Range’ will now take place August 21st, 2021.

Organizer Rhonda Sharpe-Klim notes the four acts they had this year have all agreed to come back next year.

Sharpe-Klim was a guest on the CKDR Morning Show Monday and says they will still be donating back to the community this year.

“We have created pre-designed shirts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s reflection. And with the sales of those shirts, we are going to give $10 from each sale going directly to our Dryden Food Bank.”

Sharpe-Kim says Rhythm on the Range is also making an immediate $400 donation.

She says you can see the design and purchase the shirts at Anderson’s Homestead Golf Course.

“The shirts are a reflection, totally, of the times right now. The logo on the back of the shirt, just to give you an idea, its says ‘COVID Separated Us But Rock N’ Roll Will Always Unite Us.'”

To hear more, visit the Audio link below.

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Dryden Legion Donates $5,000 To Food Bank

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A generous donation to the Dryden Food Bank by the Dryden Legion.

The Legion presented a $5,000 cheque to the Food Bank this morning to allow them to continue providing assistance to the people of Dryden.

Dryden Legion President Doug Miranda says they decided to donate to the Food Bank since their services are needed more than ever right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miranda also says their building is still closed, but they have people behind the scenes preparing for once they can reopen.

He says the Legion usually donates around $37,000 every year as a part of their initiatives to help the community.

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Dryden Food Bank Numbers Up Slightly

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The reality of the economic situation resulting from COVID-19 shutdowns is starting to hit Dryden.

Food Bank Manager Al Huckabay says their numbers are slowly increasing because of layoffs or people encountering food insecurity and trouble paying the bills.

Huckabay says they are always supportive of donations from those who can still give during this difficult period.

“The best thing that people can do is financial donations because that helps us to be able to purchase the types of foods that we need.”

He notes canned goods and non-perishable food items will also be accepted.

To arrange a delivery time call 223-3881.

Huckabay adds if you are finding it difficult in this time do not hesitate to reach out to the Food Bank so they can can help you with some extra food if needed.

You can call every Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 9:00 am-11:30 am to ask for a hamper.

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$2,500 Donation To Dryden Food Bank

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More support for the Dryden Food Bank during their time of need.

Manager Al Huckabay says the Knights of Columbus has come forward with a $2,500 donation.

“They support numerous projects in our community and the Dryden Food Bank is the recipient of that ‘heart of charity’ and we thank them for how they have supported us.”

Huckabay adds “It’s through partnering with the Knights of Columbus that we together can relieve hunger and renew hope in the lives of families that are experiencing stress through this time and also food in-security. So we’re really thankful.”

Grand Knight of Council in Dryden Vince Skillen says “With COVID-19 we hope that this will help immensely with the purchasing of food. One of our four virtues of the Knights of Columbus is charity so we decided to do this with the crisis going on.”

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Web-Slinger And Community Helps Dryden Food Bank

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Dryden’s Spider-Man is swooping in to help out the Dryden Food Bank with a generous $1,725 donation.

The money comes from a GoFundMe campaign launched by the local super hero.

A raffle was conducted and the winner was able to select the charity of their choice.

Catherine Dashnay had her name pulled.

“I choose the Dryden Food Bank because it’s important to remember the resources that will be heavily hit during this uncertain time. As people continue to get laid-off or hours cut back, there monies will be stretched thin and the Food Bank maybe their only source for food.”

Facility Manager Al Huckabay says it’s amazing to see everyone come together during these difficult times.

Huckabay says he’s really thankful for the community of Dryden for their on-going support, especially now, with a lot of anxiety over COVID-19.

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Audio: Dryden GM Food Drive

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The COVID-19 outbreak isn’t stopping Dryden GM from hosting its annual Spring Food Drive.

On April 8th, staff at the dealership will be going around town picking up your donations for the Dryden Food Bank.

The door-to-door pick-up is due to physical distancing in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Director of First Impressions Kate Cook was a guest on the CKDR Morning Show today (Tuesday) and she is hoping the community rallies together.

“We just ask that you contact us at info@drydengm.ca. That’s my email address. Let us know that you have a donation and we’re putting you on a map.”

Cook says a fleet of GM vehicles will hit the road around 4:00pm on Wednesday to pick-up the goods.

You are asked to leave your donations at the end of the driveway, or a safe distance away from your home or business, and wait for staff to arrive to pick-up the items.

Cook says “The Food Bank is really in need of some canned vegetables and non-perishable food items. So anything you could give would be fantastic.”

To hear more from Kate Cook on the Dryden GM Spring Food Drive, visit the Audio link below.

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Dryden Food Bank In Need Of Donations

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This is a time of helping others and the Dryden Food Bank is looking for your generosity.

The Food Bank is seeking food and monetary donations to help the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 health crisis.

Manager Al Huckabay says “Our greatest need right now is canned vegetables. We are really running short, in fact we don’t have any on the shelf right now, any kind of canned vegetables like corn, canned peas, canned green beans.”

To arrange a drop-off you are asked to contact the Food Bank at 223-3881 to make arrangements as visitor restrictions are in place.

Huckabay is also encouraging the public to purchase an extra non-perishable food time at the grocery store and drop the product in the bins set up at the stores for donations to the food bank.

He notes monetary donations are being accepted at http://www.drydenfoodbank.org

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Dryden Food Bank Reopens Today

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Operations at the Dryden Food Bank resume today. (Wednesday)

Bookings for hampers will only be accepted by phone and no walk in bookings are allowed.

Only two people will be able to enter the building at any given time and the washrooms will be closed to the public.

Clients will no longer be able to pack their own hampers and back packs, cloth bags and other bags will not be permitted.

The social distancing guidelines are in place to ensure the safety of the community during the COVID-19 crisis.

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