The lineups for the free store on Skwah First Nation near Chilliwack keep growing.
It began last summer as a community project to feed Skwah elders and families, according to Raylene Mumford, health director for Skwah (Sqwá) First Nation.
Everything lining the shelves in the portable from fresh produce, eggs, bread, dairy, and meat, to clothes and household items, is set up like a retail store.
“I think it restores dignity giving people the ability to choose and look around. They can pick what they want with no pressure,” she said. “The store is zero barrier.”
There are diapers and hygiene products, as well as groceries. Some clothes and toys are also on offer.
Skwah volunteer Stuart Mussell works with Mumford on the store, along with volunteer Chelsea Hiebert, who organizes food donations, packs groceries and runs the store every Sunday. Cody Chance helps with deliveries to those with mobility issues.
During the flooding disaster last November they decided to throw the doors of the portable open to the wider community from the surrounding Chilliwack area by putting an invite and a message up on Facebook.
“I knew there was a need for it,” Mumford said. “Stuart and I love the idea of sharing, and ensuring we could help even more people during the devastation.”
In the wake of panic-buying, and supply chain issues after the weather disaster in late November it just made sense to try to help even more people out.
”Structural and systemic poverty, as well as food waste, has always been a very big deal to me,” Mumford explained.
They started working their contacts, and they managed to secure larger loads of donations, and more volunteers to help.
“The whole idea is moving people closer to self sustainability, and breaking the cycle of poverty,” Mumford said.
To date they have received generous support from Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, the Sikh community, the Jewish community, local farmers, Cloverdale Food Supports and more.
And the community project keeps growing.
On the first day they expanded access they had about 20 from Chilliwack come to the store, in addition to their members and elders. Then the next week there were 60.
“Fast forward several Sundays later, and now we have lineups, with 123 people coming through the store. It is wild.”
Improving food security at a fundamental level is key.
“All it takes is a little bit of effort to encourage folks to connect, to feel welcome, to have good health and nutrition,” Mumford said.
They plan to forge ahead this spring, with no thoughts of slowing down.
“We’re so excited to see what happens next.”
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