The Community Cares Kitchen is based at Parkland Hall and is being run by volunteers. (Facebook/Community Cares Kitchen Prince Albert)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Caring For The Community

Kitchen aims to feed vulnerable citizens amid COVID-19

Mar 25, 2020 | 1:04 PM

A number of community groups and organizations are coming together to help feed Prince Albert’s more vulnerable citizens.

The Community Cares Kitchen is operating out of Parkland Hall in collaboration with the Prince Albert Grand Council, West Flat Citizens Group, Riverbank Development, Prince Albert Food Bank and S.H.A.R.E to name a few. The kitchen is being run by volunteers including cooks and drivers.

Natalie Guimond, who has taken the lead in organizing the effort said since they started up five days ago, they have seen a demand for their services.

“Right now, we’re over 100 recipients,” she said.

Guimond explained they are delivering meals to some people’s homes and working with The Gate at Access Place. She added the need for this service came about as steps were taken to protect against COVID-19.

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“With the closure of city facilities, now it’ll be two weeks ago that created a burden in terms of our vulnerable people just even in the west flat being able to get access to a meal,” she said.

Going forward Guimond said she is expecting to see the number of recipients grow. She said they have practices in place to protect people amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We’re going to knock on the door and we’ll put the items on the door step and we’ll head back to the vehicle and we’ll make sure that they are able to pick up those items,” she said.

Guimond said they are also trying to protect volunteers by limiting the number of people in the kitchen and by keeping drivers at the door of the facility.

The kitchen has received donations from numerous groups and people. Donations have even included moose meat. Guimond said currently they could use donations of sandwich meat, juice boxes and dry goods.

People interested in learning more about the Community Cares Kitchen are encouraged to visit the groups Facebook page, Community Cares Kitchen Prince Albert. On the page they’ll find contact information.

Guimond said they are currently working to make sure they are in a position to be able to help people until the COVID-19 situation is resolved.

“Our goal with our resources and with our community partnerships is to be able to have our kitchen functioning through the duration of this time,” she said.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn