The Evergreen Basic Needs food bank in Gimli is thanking community members for their generosity after a successful weekend in March where a donation drive brought in over 500 pounds of food. As the organization prepares for its next distribution day this Thursday, staff are reminding residents that the need for food assistance remains high across the region.
Operating in partnership with Harvest Manitoba, the organization serves individuals and families living in the Rural Municipality of Gimli, the Town of Winnipeg Beach, the Village of Dunnottar, and the Rural Municipality of Armstrong. The facility relies heavily on community support, including proceeds from its thrift store, Respun Threads, as it does not receive regular operational grants from provincial or federal governments.
Demand for food assistance continues to climb, driven by rising costs for housing and groceries. According to data tracked by Statistics Canada and regional reports, food bank visits across the province have doubled since 2021, with approximately 60,000 people now relying on these services each month. One in four Manitobans currently lives with some form of food insecurity, and the demographic of those seeking help has expanded to include more seniors, working families, and individuals with post-secondary education.
Registered clients can receive two food hampers per month, with at least two weeks between pickups. For those looking to support the organization or inquire about services, cexecutive director Karen Bowman and operations manager Miles Lepine oversee the daily operations to ensure resources reach those in need.
