By Katie Strachan
The Oshawa Express

They feed the need and thanks to a donation from the federal government, they will be able to feed a great number more.
Feed the Need in Durham, a non-profit charitable organization that is fighting to end hunger across the region, is on the receiving end of more than $155,000 in funding from the Government of Canada.
“Our government is giving a hand-up to Canadians with housing needs and is helping those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty,” says Oshawa MP Dr. Colin Carrie.
“Through this investment, Feed the Need in Durham will be able to provide emergency food and urgent needs services to people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless in the Durham Region. We are helping tens of thousands of people across Canada who are struggling in this economy.”
The agency serves the majority of people who rely on food banks and community agencies through a number of member agencies located in neighbourhoods across Durham.
It was launched following a needs assessment where it was determined there was a need for a central hub where food donations could come and be sorted and then distributed equally among the food banks, soup kitchens, shelters and feeding programs throughout the region, says Merle Cole, president of the board.
“It took a long time to bring the support that we needed together,” he says.
But things are coming together, he says standing in the Oshawa warehouse.
The agency has been able to purchase a walk-in fridge and freezer, which allows them to keep fresh food.
In the future they hope to purchase a truck to transport the fresh produce, dairy and frozen foods, a release says.
Sandy Brittain, executive director of Feed the Need in Durham, says finding the warehouse was the biggest barrier. And now keeping the shelves stocked is the main focus.
“As we grow and develop we will be able to provide to all those agencies that have already come to us,” she says.
“In a wealthy country where food is plentiful, it’s a shame that anyone goes hungry.”
Cole says the support from the community has been great since the organization received its official charity status in October.
“The community has been stumbling over itself to help us,” he says, adding the warehouse allows them to take on corporate donations now.
The funding from the government falls under the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, which was launched in September 2008. The federal government announced $1.9 billion in funding over five years for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians.

“The funding will provide a truck to transport food, a warehouse to sort and store food, office space to manage operations, and staff to ensure the project is successful, among other things,” explains Brittain.
In addition to government funding, Feed the Need in Durham is also receiving $75,000 from Trillium Foundation to kick-start the program.
For more information on the organization, to donate or volunteer call 905-431-1876 or visit www.ftnd.ca