Canadian Mental Health Association homeless outreach worker Susann Collins asked $2,959 from the District of 100 Mile House council to support the CMHA’s struggling community soup program on Sept. 10.
The CMHA currently rents The Lodge kitchen and some freezer space for its weekly Soupe de Tour program, which prepares and delivers soup for distribution by various emergency food programs.
Noting the CMHA understands council has a policy not to waive rent on municipal buildings, Collins said the volunteer group was asking for the money to cover other costs, which would, in turn, help overall.
“We have the people, we have the food; we just need the place to make the soup.”
Councillor Ralph Fossum asked Collins if there were not several local churches that could accommodate the program in the short term.
With 30-40 servings of soup currently being prepared, hygienically cooled on special side plates, and then immediately frozen in individual cartons in the adjacent walk-in freezer, The Lodge’s large commercial kitchen is needed, she explained.
Collins noted that since its inception about three years ago, Soupe de Tour volunteers have prepared and delivered 120,000 portions for local emergency food programs. It also acts as a social program by helping single mothers learn how to cook and eat healthy foods.
Collins asked if there were funds remaining for a Cariboo Regional District/District joint grant-in-aid to help cover its expenses.
District administrator Roy Scott said those are now completed for 2013, as the CRD handles its grant budget by August each year.
Coun. Dave Mingo said that means “anything we do, we do all on our own” with funds found in its own coffers.
However, when Collins explained money donated for food supplies is going toward the district’s rent charges – noting September and October were paid up in that manner – council relented.
Mayor Mitch Campsall asked Scott if there were remaining funds in the District’s 2013 grant-in-aid fund, and got an affirmative answer, to which Fossum noted perhaps something could be done in the short term.
Said Coun. Bill Hadden: “This rent money is coming out of their food money.”
While the mayor and councillors said they could not manage the full $2,959 requested, they unanimously passed a motion to grant $1,500, which equals the rent costs through November and December.
