Tottenham library feeds both the mind and the body
The Tottenham Community Pantry runs on the premise: take what you need, leave what you can.
Tottenham’s Pam Kirkpatrick library branch hosts the new emergency food pantry during library hours.
“Our objective is to help relieve food insecurity in our community through providing access to food and personal hygiene products during the library’s operating hours,” said Ashley Boyle of the library.
The program began Dec. 15 in the unused kitchen at the Tottenham branch and it has been well received by the community, Boyle said.
“We pick up fresh produce every day from Vince’s Market – they’ve been great. We have regular (library) patrons that are just doing a donation or doing a shopping just for the pantry,” she said.
Staff at the library believe that ‘food is a basic human right and one of the goals of this project is to foster a space with enhanced opportunity for food access. This means that everyone is welcome to use the pantry without judgment. Clients are free to browse our cupboards without monitoring by library staff. This will protect client dignity and create a positive environment for those in need.’
While Boyle isn’t sure how many people have accessed the kitchen to date, she said on Tuesday alone, they had six families visit the pantry.
“And then they signed up for library cards,” she said.
Donations of non-perishable food and hygiene products can be placed in the labelled drop box located near the circulation desk in the Tottenham Branch.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.