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Hi everyone! I currently am looking for donations for a "bannock in the park" program I am running on Sundays. I looked into the fact that the soup kitchen is not open on the weekends and decided to start helping by making bannock , soup , handing out fruit , granola bars and bottled water and distributing these out to the less fortunate, homeless...and whomever just needs that kind of help even if it's just temporary. I recently received a donation of clothing, (a few winter jackets, boots but much more is needed and would be greatly appreciated) and was able to distribute quite a lot of these items (the people who received them were very grateful) thanks to the Knox united church (ppl who donated) I am looking for food, such as flour oil baking powder, also soup fixings such as vegetables canned tomatoes etc and fruit , granola bars bottled water and boxed juices. I am also looking for styrofoam soup bowls with lids , small paper lunch bags and parchment paper, plastic spoons as I pre package the meals. Any donations would be greatly appreciated!

First of all, I think you're doing a wonderful thing.  
 
(here comes the but... part)  
 
I know there was a lady in Winnipeg that was doing something similar, handing out soup and sandwiches, bannock too. The province made her start preparing things in a commercial kitchen. I was in the news last year. (she eventually complied and got her food safe training and has a kitchen donated to her if I remember correctly)  
 
Are you sure you're "allowed" to do what you're doing? I'd hate to see you get shut down because food handling rules that might apply to you didn't get followed.

Unfortunately the "but" part is true.  
Health inspectors are in place to ensure that any food prepared and served to the public is "safe". It must be prepared in a commercial kitchen, by people with a food safe course. There must be proper storage (coolers) for raw material, proper cleaning facilities, hand washing procedures, maintaining proper temperatures of "cold" and "hot" foods.  
I have run across this before, and have had offers of "leftovers" from a social, or funeral luncheon, but can't distribute to the homeless, since there is no guarantee that the food has been maintained at a proper temperature.  
Best route is to go with fresh vegetables, fruit, canned goods and dry goods.  
Unfortunate, but true....guess it is better to go dumpster diving.  
 
An even better idea would be to expand the present service offered by the Soup Kitchen to a seven days per week Program....people get hungry on the weekend to!! Those who wish to help could collaborate with the existing program to expand and meet the need.  

Talk to Althea Guiboche.... She is 'the Bannock Lady' from Winnipeg for Got Bannock. She is a friend of mine and I am sure she would be willing to give you suggestions.

Hi Everyone! First i would like to thank everyone for their comments and concerns. I have done my research on this before i started it, I and 3 of my volunteers that prepare and pre-package the food have our food safe certificates, and follow all the guidelines (rules and regulations)put forth by the Health Canada(inspectors) And thank you soul i have also spoken to my sister-in-law Althea and she did indeed give me a few pointers. lol. Once again thank you Westman for your concern, but lets show the people of Westman that we do care and start helping feed the people. There is a need for at least one hot meal on the weekend since the soup kitchen is closed. Only if your able to...lol. Thanks and Kitche Miqwetch  
 
 
 
Edited by candygirl, 2015-11-05 18:52:16

candygirl said "Hi Everyone! First i would like to thank everyone for their comments and concerns. I have done my research on this before i started it, I and 3 of my volunteers that prepare and pre-package the food have our food safe certificates, and follow all the guidelines (rules and regulations)put forth by the Health Canada(inspectors) And thank you soul i have also spoken to my sister-in-law Althea and she did indeed give me a few pointers. lol. Once again thank you Westman for your concern, but lets show the people of Westman that we do care and start helping feed the people. There is a need for at least one hot meal on the weekend since the soup kitchen is closed. Only if your able to...lol. Thanks and Kitche Miqwetch         Edited by candygirl, 2015-11-05 18:52:16"

Where are you preparing the food. It is a wonderful thing you are doing.

xanthe100 said "    candygirl said "Hi Everyone! First i would like to thank everyone for their comments and concerns. I have done my research on this before i started it, I and 3 of my volunteers that prepare and pre-package the food have our food safe certificates, and follow all the guidelines (rules and regulations)put forth by the Health Canada(inspectors) And thank you soul i have also spoken to my sister-in-law Althea and she did indeed give me a few pointers. lol. Once again thank you Westman for your concern, but lets show the people of Westman that we do care and start helping feed the people. There is a need for at least one hot meal on the weekend since the soup kitchen is closed. Only if your able to...lol. Thanks and Kitche Miqwetch         Edited by candygirl, 2015-11-05 18:52:16" Where are you preparing the food. It is a wonderful thing you are doing. "

Are you already up and running or is this something you are doing in the future? What time Sundays and will it be ongoing?  
 
Can you pm me where stuff can be dropped off. I am hoping to get to Costco later this month so I can probably donate then.

candygirl said "Hi Everyone! First i would like to thank everyone for their comments and concerns. I have done my research on this before i started it, I and 3 of my volunteers that prepare and pre-package the food have our food safe certificates, and follow all the guidelines (rules and regulations)put forth by the Health Canada(inspectors) And thank you soul i have also spoken to my sister-in-law Althea and she did indeed give me a few pointers. lol. Once again thank you Westman for your concern, but lets show the people of Westman that we do care and start helping feed the people. There is a need for at least one hot meal on the weekend since the soup kitchen is closed. Only if your able to...lol. Thanks and Kitche Miqwetch         Edited by candygirl, 2015-11-05 18:52:16"

... carry on! You're doing a great, great thing!  
 
How can we make donations? Did I miss that part?

Hi ! For more info like my FB page" bannock in the park"

This is an awesome idea  
It's great to see all the people you have helped KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK