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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.