Blood Ties Four Directions Centre is getting more Yukon government funding to up its offerings from 10 to 25 free meals per day and renovate its kitchen in hopes of better serving community members facing troubles accessing food in Whitehorse.
Prior to this funding boost of close to $179,000, the centre, which is primarily funded by federal and territorial programs, was relying on private donations to distribute food prepared by Bridges Catering from Monday to Friday for its healthy meals program, according to executive director Jill Aalhus.
Aalhus said in an email to the News that the centre was almost immediately running out of food and turning people away every day. That’s why the program isn’t advertised, she said.
“Lack of access to food security is an issue in our community, particularly for people who do not have access to cooking facilities because they are living in hotels, motels or are unhoused,” she said.
“We have more demand than we can afford to keep up with.”
For some context, the previous winter holiday season was the Whitehorse Food Bank’s busiest on record, according to Dave Blottner, executive director of the Food Bank Society of the Yukon. More than 2,250 people sought out hampers across the Yukon in December 2023.
As for the centre, its kitchen upgrades are anticipated to be done by late summer.
When the renos are complete, then the centre will make the lunches in-house. A better kitchen will allow them to make more nutritious meals and offer employment opportunities for clients accessing services at the centre.
Dinner services are expected to start in the fall.
By late fall, the centre is expecting to further expand, providing 25 lunches and 25 dinners seven days a week.
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com