Region's AIDS committee plans emergency food pantry for food-insecure clients

In an effort to support clients struggling with food insecurity,the AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area (ACCKWA) wants to create a newemergency food pantry.

Thenon-profit organization is currently fundraising $5,000 to purchase a fridge and freezerfor the program. Greg Mann, co-ordinator of support services at ACCKWA, said the organization hasoffered food supports totheir clients for the last 20 years in the form of hampers.

This emergency pantrywill be set up like a small market so people "are making choices for themselves and we'renot deciding what's good for them," Mann said.

Mann said they hope the pantry will fill a needasinflation and rising food costs havemade it even moredifficult for people to access fresh foods.

"The one thingsthat isn't going up with the cost of everything else is [Ontario Disability Support Program]and [Ontario Works], so we're trying to fill the gap so people don't have to make a decision whether or not to get medication, pay the rent or have food in their bellies," he said.

1-stop shop for clients

Thepantry, which will be located atACCKWA'smain office in Kitchener, will be supported with the help of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, whichhas also seen an increase in people needingsupport,acting CEO Kim Wilhelm said.

"What we're seeing over the last couple of months is a very consistent increase of about five per cent every month in those who are having to access emergency food assistance here in Waterloo region," Wilhelm said.

Nearly 35,000 people intheregion needed to accessed emergencyfoodassistance in the past year,with35 per cent of them beingunder age 18.

Wilhelm said there are many reasons someone may need to access the food bank, such as a sudden job loss, an illness in the family,or paying extra at gas pumps and at the grocery store.

ACCKWA'sexecutive director Ruth Cameron said many clients living with HIV need nutrient-dense foods like whole vegetables and fruitsto stay healthy.She hopesto open the pantry soon to meet the growing need and make it as accessible as possible.

"Transportation is expensive," Cameron said, adding if people are already coming into the office for programming, then they could speak to staff to access the emergency pantry at the same time.

"So a one-stop shop is convenient, it's accessible and it sometimes makes things more affordable, too."