Hot meal program on hold for now

He estimates that each sandwich costs $1. A hot meal service, however, would come at a greater cost.

Swenson estimates each meal would cost $3 per person, and he estimates it would cost $2,000 to $2,500 to operate each week. Over the course of a year, he estimates it would cost $80,000 to $100,000 to run the program. It’s looking to corporate sponsors for assistance.

PACM has approached the City of Prince Albert to ask for assistance with a venue to provide meals. A representative from the program has had talks with city officials, according to Swenson.

Swenson filed a letter to city council, as well as to the Government of Saskatchewan. He’s awaiting a reply from Prince Albert Northcote MLA Victoria Jurgens.

Additionally, PACM has an agreement with the food bank to offer its hot meal services out of the food bank building, but its hours are limited to the late afternoon-early evening. Swenson said the food bank has offered the program a space to operate for a three-month trial period.

“If everything works out well, they may look at extending that,” he said. PACM is considering a different location for its hot meal service in the event the food bank doesn’t extend the availability beyond the trial.

PACM had hoped to get the service up and running out of the food bank building in April.

For now, its volunteers and board members are using the kitchen in the Open Door Community Church of the Nazarene to prepare the sandwiches. But, he said anyone is welcome to volunteer their help with these preparations, which take place on Monday evenings at 7 p.m.

Swenson said the food bank has been supplying PACM with some of the meat for the sandwiches, as well.

“And we hope to get more local donations from more local businesses as they come along, as they are aware of what we’re trying to do in this city.”

tjames@panow.com

On Twitter: @thiajames

by Thia James

Hot meal program on hold for now

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