At the Chamber, we believe strongly that it is because of the combined work of MacGregor’s private and public organizations, businesses, non-profits, charities, and individuals that our town is the wonderful place to live that it is.

It’s this belief that led us in our choice for this week’s MacGregor Homegrown Business Highlight, The Community Resource Centre / Food Vault Inc. (herein called the CRC). Below is the conversation we had with Julie Friesen, the director of the CRC, as well as Pastor Michael Fehr, the current chair of their board. As you will see, the CRC has been a godsend to our community, especially through this difficult time.

For full disclosure, I (the interviewer) am a member of two of the organizations mentioned in the article below; the Area Ministerial, as well as the Healthy Community Committee. I joined well after the events that led to the formation of the CRC, and the choice to interview with Julie and Michael was made by the entirety of the Chamber, and not just myself. I do think the work the CRC does in our town is amazing, but it’s best to be upfront about any possible bias. And, so with all that laid out, I hope you enjoy the interview!

So, tell me what does the CRC all do? Who is involved?

The CRC exists to connect people of limited funds to the resources they need in order to move through and beyond crisis situations.  Our goal is to alleviate the effects of poverty and enhance the health of our clients.  We work towards that goal through year-round distribution of food hampers, filing of income tax returns, helping with government information and access to needed forms and applications and their submission, as well as overseeing the annual planning and harvest of the Community Garden.  If there is a need we cannot fulfill, we try to find other organizations that can.  We serve within the R.M. of North Norfolk, striving to be a “face and a place to give what you have, and get what you need!”

We are run by a volunteer Board of Directors and employ a director.  There have also been volunteers involved in various ways over the years.

Tell me the story of how the CRC began. When was that, and also what needs in the community was it addressing?

The beginnings of the CRC originated with the MacGregor Area Ministerial group.  As the ministers from town received requests for emergency food, their churches would take turns providing hampers for each family on a monthly basis.  As the need became greater, and the root issues became more apparent, the Area Ministerial began to discuss the need for a centralized food program that could also help people beyond a food hamper. 

Similar discussions were being held at local meetings of the Healthy Community Committee.  And so, between 2011-2012, a committee was formed with initial funding being provided by Southern Health through the Healthy Community Committee as well as from the MacGregor Health Foundation. 

Plans continued to move forward and office space and a director were in place by the end of 2013.  We continue to operate out of “the old credit union building” where we utilize what was once a vault to store the food.  This has been a great location and we look forward to moving into the new addition shortly. 

Past directors include Pam Braun, Quentin Robinson, David Kruse, and Madelynn Robinson.  Julie has been Director for just over two years now.  More recently, after two attempts, and a big lawyer fee we were successful in achieving official Canadian charity status under the new (or additional) name of The Food Vault Inc. in March 2018. 

How has running the CRC gone over the years?

Over the years, we have become more well known. We are pleased that residents from all over the municipality are becoming aware of our services and are starting to feel comfortable making requests of us.  Typically, we distribute 15-20 food hampers per month plus other assistance as it is needed. 

As demand for our services and for food hampers has grown, so has the generosity of our supporters.  We are so fortunate to be operating in a community of such generous people!  Our first fundraisers were BBQ lunches, but we have found our niche with our biannual Donut Day fundraisers.  We rely on the students of the MacGregor Collegiate Institute and other local bakers in order for these fundraisers to succeed and they are always a hit!  We also receive some funding from the local government annually and have received some grants over the years, but the majority of our funds and grocery donations come from the local organizations, residents and their businesses. 

How has COVID-19 impacted the CRC?

Regarding COVID-19 . . . We have implemented some new policies for food hampers in order to minimize contact.  We used to welcome people into the vault to select what they wanted for their families, essentially packing their own hamper.  We are currently pre-packing all food hampers and requiring clients to call ahead for a pickup time to avoid any overlap of people in the building. We also postponed some of our income tax filings but are now continuing with clients dropping off their info and picking it up later instead of sitting in the office with the volunteer.  

So far, food bank demand has not increased here in North Norfolk.  We expect that that could change at any time in the coming months as the economic effects of the closures etc. play out.  We are confident that we are ready and will be able to support more families when the time comes.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel our spring donut day!  Thankfully, so many have been thinking of us - checking in, sending extra donations, groceries, and even toilet paper – that we can continue to operate without a hitch!  Thank-You!

 Also, to reduce traffic inside, we have been setting up the donation bins outside.  Distance friendly options for financial giving include mailing a cheque (Box 881, MacGregor) and donating online through the organization – Canada Helps, but of course, we won’t turn you away if you show up in person with money either! 

Any additional details that you would like people to know about the CRC?

We would like to assure the public that we are here for you!  If this is an uncertain time for you financially and you are having to make tough choices, please give us a call (contact information below).  If letting us help you put supper on the table means you can pay the phone bill (or whatever else) - by all means, get in touch.  That is exactly what we are here for. 

Contact information for all inquiries: Text or Call Julie at 204-685-2977. 

Office hours are Tuesday and Friday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, but messages are checked daily. 

More information as well as messaging can be found by clicking the buttons below.