Each year, the City of Kamloops issues a call for proposals for registered charities and non-profit agencies in our community to apply for Social and Community Development Grants, which are intended to fund special projects, operational costs, and/or capital expenditures that address specific current social problems and/or issues related to the City’s Social Plan or the Livability and Sustainability pillar of the Council Strategic Plan.
The Mount Paul Community Food Centre received a $12,000 Social and Community Development Grant in 2024. This is how the grant was used:
Submitted by the Mount Paul Community Food Centre:
Through the grant, the Community Pantry has successfully become a permanent fixture at the Mount Paul Community Food Centre. Throughout 2024, it has been a vital resource, providing consistent access to healthy food options and serving as a reliable support system for community members. During this time, over 200 people accessed the program each week. The pantry remains open twice a week for 50 weeks of the year, with slight schedule changes due to delivery delays.
The Mount Paul Community Food Centre has seen a growing number of individuals and families struggling to meet their basic needs. Our recipe for change is to offer dignified food access programs that address immediate needs and empower individuals with nutritional knowledge while also building a social network and creating a sense of community.
Program outcomes include:
an increase in available healthy food
an increase in the sense of dignity
an increase in community belonging
an increase in healthy food
a decrease in stigma
Food insecurity is on the rise. In April, Statistics Canada reported that 8.7 million Canadians live with food insecurity, accounting for 22.9% of the population. The Mount Paul Community Food Centre is witnessing similar trends, with a growing number of individuals and families seeking support. More households than ever are facing new and unexpected barriers, underscoring the urgent need for expanded community resources and assistance.
The takeaways from this project highlighted this growing demand, noticeable in the sheer volume of participants and how quickly pantry items were accessed. With the ability to once again shift the service delivery, the Community Pantry has now become a well-supported resource within the market, ensuring continued access to essential food items for those in need.
The Community Pantry is a very well-used, successful food access program. With the support of the City of Kamloops, the program has found a sustainable way to be present within the community and add to the services the Mount Paul Community Food Centre is able to provide.
To learn more about this Social and Community Development Grant, visit Kamloops.ca/Grants. Review the full list of stories of how other groups used their Social and Community Development Grants.
