Neighbours helping neighbours: The growing impact of local food pantries across Saskatchewan

Community-driven food pantries across Saskatchewan are helping families meet rising needs

It began as a friendly conversation. It turned into an essential resource that defines the spirit of small-town Saskatchewan – and reflects the essenceNutrien’s “Building Stronger Communities Together” grants program.

“We had a group of ladies, and we saw the growing need for food assistance in our communities,” says Jaclyn Sander, one of the founding members of The Food Pantry. “It’s small towns. You can see when there's a need. We had kids who went to school in those communities. You know when some people are struggling. And you want to help and reach out without making people uncomfortable. It was something that we saw a need for.”

Jaclyn continues to be part of the leadership group of The Food Pantry, along with Melissa Maddocks, Amanda Thiessen and Karen Marshall. It was established as a volunteer organization in 2020 and has grown to serve people in Dundurn, Hanley, Shields, Thode and other nearby communities. It operates from a single room at the back of a beauty salon in Dundurnand assistsfamilies whoduring times of crisis or, often, during holiday seasons.

Significantly, support for The Food Pantry is as diverse as its users. Local Hutterite colonies donate freshly grown potatoes and vegetables; churches run raffles and fundraisers; local businesses contribute money, goods or services.

Nutrien joined that effort by awarding a $2,500 grant as part of the special Building Stronger Communities Together program that celebrated the longstanding ties between the company and local communities.

“Our intent was to celebrate what we’ve built together with our local communities over the past 65 years,” says Renee Glushyk, Nutrien’s Senior Manager, Community Relations and Investment. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many groups use these grants to strengthen their communities through food security and safety – values that are the foundation for Nutrien as well.”

The Food Pantry has helped members of their communities sustain their families through the pandemic, changing economic conditions, and, most recently, the challenge of rising food prices.

“We can go from one emergency hamper a month to 10 in any given month,” says Jaclyn. “We've had up to 25 holiday hampers, just depending on the need at that time. You don’t ever know who is going to need you, but whoever needs help, we’re there.”

Food Pantries Are a Common Need

Even in a province with rich food-producing, agricultural resources, food pantries and food banks are a common need. Nutrien’s grant program provided support for these types of initiatives in multiple towns across Saskatchewan, including Central Butte, Delisle, Esterhazy, Watrous, Lanigan and Tisdale.

At Esterhazy, a food pantry was added to the community library, giving residents a community gathering space that offers enrichment for mind or body. The Nutrien grant, along with donations from the community, keeps the pantry stocked with canned goods, pasta and other basic staples.

“We have some basic guidelines set up on the wall, basically saying give what you can, take what you need,” says Madilyn Hollingshead, an assistant librarian and steward of the pantry program. “We have people who come into the library who have never been into the library before, specifically just for the pantry. I anticipated it would be a small thing, but it has been shockingly successful. I've had people come in here and tell me that without these resources, they wouldn't be alive today.”

In communities, like in families, food creates connections and brings people together in their shared interest in building better lives. In Tisdale, the food bank operated through the Salvation Army became part of a recently formed local hub of organizations called TACACL (Tisdale and Area Community Action Cooperative Ltd.).

“We have more people moving into town and there’s more awareness in the community about food security,” says Lt. Glenna Cryderman of the Salvation Army. “My experience is that the community groups work really well together. Food is one of the most important things. And when people come in to get food, you can form relationships and maybe find other needs that you can work through with them.”

The growing importance and impact of food pantries and food banks is at the heart of building stronger communities.

“We have noticed as time goes on, there's more and more of a need for food in our community and the surrounding area,” says Rachelle Domoslai, President of the Delisle and Area Angel Tree. “We’re going to start doing one every second month so we can put some perishable items, like produce, meats and vegetables, into these households.”

Rachelle and community volunteers (including her husband, Jeromy, who works at Nutrien’s nearby Vanscoy facility) gather in their garage to prepare the hampers. It’s a scene of neighbours helping neighbours, and a community building community.

“This is one of the most rewarding projects that I have been a part of because to see the smiles on the faces and just making things easier for families,” says Rachelle. “We can see we're making a positive impact in our community.”