Yellowhead Community Services (YCS) filled a need this season by serving food to people in the valley.
The soup kettle program served 3,410 bowls of hot soup and buns every Friday and 1,104 bowls of frozen soup were distributed in Clearwater and Barriere, said food security program coordinator Joanna Hurst.
For now the program is stopped for its annual summer pause, but they will continue to provide emergency frozen soup and meals at the YCS offices at the Dutch Lake Community Centre in Clearwater and The Ridge in Barriere.
"Anyone who is struggling with putting a meal on the table for any reason is welcome to access these meals free of charge," Hurst said.
Rising food costs and limited funding have been a challenge, so Hurst said they are asking the communities to support the program with cash donations or consider growing a row of vegetables to donate the produce.
Volunteers with Food Safe certificates are needed and if interested are encouraged to contact Hurst at 250-674-1472.
Food literacy programs
Recent funding from the Community Prosperity Fund from the North Thompson Communities Foundation and the province of B.C. has made it possible for YCS to offer regular food literacy programming in Barriere for the next three years, Hurst said.
"The focus of the program will be helping participants build foundational skills to access and prepare low-cost and nutritious meals."
A first session was held in April and the next one will be on Sunday, May 25, at the Lions Hall for bread making.
"These sessions will generally be offered monthly with a different theme each session," Hurst said.
Themes will include canning and preserving later in the summer and possibly food gathering next year.
The facilitator, Laura Mairs, has extensive experience as a professional cook and farmer and is passionate about making great food and sharing her knowledge, Hurst said.
Sessions are offered at a very low cost, depending on people's incomes.
"Everyone gets to take food home, and hopefully new skills and friends as well," Hurst said.
To register for the upcoming session, please call our YCS office at 250-672-9773. Upcoming sessions will be advertised on the YCS Food Security Facebook page.
