Community groups and agencies offer support to the vulnerable

Gormley helps community groups making donations connect to agencies, to provide assistance to families or individuals in the community wishing to receive support.

“People who perhaps are self-isolating or they are not able to get to the grocery store, we can hook them up with an agency that can help them out,” she said.

Gormley said people often don’t know where to turn for help, so “the city is an obvious resource.”

Any individuals or families needing assistance whether it be for a meal or delivery of essential needs, for example can contact the city via email: localsupport@cityofnb.ca or call 306-445-1700.

Gormley said the city receives requests every day from a few people asking for assistance, so the service has been helpful to the community since starting about a week ago.

“The majority would be seniors [looking for support]. Then, we have had lots of other people looking to volunteer wherever they are needed, so we have connected a few of those agencies that need some help as well,” she said.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Battlefords Executive Director Nicole Combres said the agency is providing its facility gymnasium for children who are members to pick up meals for themselves and their families during the pandemic.

“It’s amazing to see how our community and community members have stepped up in a really uncertain scary time for the whole world, not just our community,” she said. “I think it just goes to show what an amazing community we have. I’m really grateful I live in this community, and I’m even more grateful that I work in this community.”

Some of the local groups donating meals to help families through the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Battlefords and other agencies include the Blend Restaurant and She-NANIGANS performing arts facility.

“I am just happy to be part of community folk that want to ensure people don’t go hungry during this crisis; no one should go hungry,” Kelly Waters, who is leading the She-NANIGANS effort, said. “I know how to prepare food safely, I am good at making large quantities. I feel strongly that if we see a way within our means to help out others we should, in this case with extra precautions because of health and safety. I am doing everything I can to ensure that. I have a safe space to do it, so with the help of others’ time and generosity, we are doing it.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Community groups and agencies offer support to the vulnerable

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