In the wake of closures at two Kamloops soup kitchens, one non-profit is stepping up to fill the need at least for a couple months. Ask Wellness opened a temporary meal program on the North Shore where, now in its second week, the non-profit can fill some of the gap left by The Loop nearby.
Image Credit: ASK Wellness
July 22, 2024 - 4:37 PM
In the wake of closures at two Kamloops soup kitchens, one non-profit is stepping up to fill the need at least for a couple months.
Ask Wellness opened a temporary meal program on the North Shore where, now in its second week, the non-profit can fill some of the gap left by The Loop nearby.
"It's not as comprehensive as the community needs, but it's our trial run knowing that on Aug. 1, The Loop may or may not be closing, but we don't know what kind of gap that's going to leave. We wanted to get a trial going to see what the demand would be," CEO Bob Hughes said.
Since starting the program last week, Hughes said it's gone smoothly with 30 to 40 people coming each day to the site with food and shade from the July heat wave.
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The meal program is overseen by Trey Schell, who's the head chef at the non-profit's nearby supportive housing site. There's also an on-site nurse and reprieve from the heat, although it isn't meant to function as a day space, Hughes said.
It doesn't replace The Loop, but Hughes said it will at least help meet the demand once both that day space and The Mustard Seed's on West Victoria Street close at the end of the month.
"This idea of creating a place for people to feel welcome and safe, then to be able to check in to see if there are other things we can offer, has renewed some of our staff's sense of purpose," he said.
"It's been good so far."
Hughes added that along with healthcare and meals available, staff are there to help set up clients with longer term services like a potential placement at a supportive housing site, and delivering a small-scale version of the "access hub" envisioned by the City of Kamloops.
Ask Wellness is planning to keep the meal program running until Oct. 15, with the expectation that the access hub should be open by then. As of July 15, the meal service is running Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It's in the alley behind the Ask Wellness 433 Tranquille Road office.
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