A program increasing access to healthy food is working to get it in the hands of more people.
The United Way has given the Anti-hunger Coalition Timmins (ACT) $30,000 for its Good Food Box program.
“The program exists to increase access to fresh, healthy, affordable foods in Timmins. Our programs are universal, we know that there are many reasons why people have difficulties accessing good food, so this is one of the ways that we help people do that,” said Jennifer Vachon, ACT executive director.
She said a large amount of the United Way funding is being used for a person to co-ordinate the home delivery service, which was launched this year.
“Another portion of the funds are being used to reach out to emergency food and shelter organizations in Timmins to subsidize or provide boxes to them so that they can see what the program’s about, see if it’s beneficial to them and hopefully continue on from there,” she explained.
Right now, there are about 30 people using the home delivery service.
“As we increase our volunteer base and as we increase people who are able to do those home deliveries for us, we’ll be able to keep increasing the number of people who can access the home delivery,” she said.
Up until now, the boxes have been available at host sites throughout the city.
There are areas, however, where it’s hard to get a host site or people don’t have access to public transportation.
The home delivery is helping fill that service gap.
“The goal is to increase access to people who are having those mobility and transportation issues, so anybody who would call in and express that that is an issue for them, we would definitely do the best that we can to be able to deliver the box to them on a monthly basis,” she said.
There is a $3 fee for the home delivery.
Vachon explained that price point was chosen because it’s comparable to the bus fare someone would pay to get out and pick up a box.
Today, volunteers sorting the food at the Covenant United Church in Timmins packed the 200th home delivery box.
“It’s pretty incredible, it’s working really well, the people receiving the boxes are very much appreciative of the service that we deliver and we’re just hoping to be able to expand that home delivery service in the future,” Vachon said.
The cost for a Good Food Box is $20 for a large, and $12 for a small.
For more information on the program call 705-262-2499. You can also buy them online here.
