North Hastings Children’s Services and North Hastings Community Trust partnered to put on a free community lunch Friday.
Christine Luckasavitch, Algonquin Inòdewiziwin program coordinator, tells My Bancroft Now they host other programs to help families get low-cost meals. “(They’re) focused on families,” she says. The Kitchen Connections and Healthy Busy Bodies program are held Wednesday and Thursday. During them, they detail how to eat healthily, eat on a budget, make a wholesome meal and teach kids basic kitchen skills. They also offer an emergency food bank. You can find more about their programs on their website.
The free community lunch that was held Friday was well attended. “Having a meal like this is a way we can expand our involvement in the community,” Luckasavitch says. She adds that while they aren’t sure what the future holds, after seeing how many people turned out for the lunch, they’re open to holding it again in the future.
“I think (the free lunch) is an amazing opportunity,” youth and family support program coordinator Sarah Pheonix says. It’s great to have two not-for-profits working together to reach more people, she adds.