Food Program
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At the core of G.A.P.'s vision is the drive to fight food insecurity in Gravenhurst and the surrounding area head-on. Through a variety of initiatives, G.A.P. provides food to over 600 neighbours in the community each and every week.
Food Program by the Numbers: 2020: 5,963 meals distributed; 73 families fed. 2021: 21,890 meals distributed; 236 families fed. 2022: 29,952 meals distributed; 259 families fed. |
Fresh Soup & Social
Every Wednesday • 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
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“The food is especially helpful when you are not working. If you don’t have anything, it is great to have something you can feed your kids. There are always extra things on Tuesday that you can use like laundry soap and shampoo. Look at how many people G.A.P. has helped.”
-- Sharon, a G.A.P. Neighbour |
The G.A.P. Food Program Story
The Gravenhurst Against Poverty Food Program was created directly in response to a 2018 Needs Assessment survey that was conducted with neighbours who lived in Gravenhurst and the surrounding area. Respondents indicated that there was a need for fresh produce and protein. G.A.P. began a fresh produce and protein giveaway in collaboration with the Thursday Night Supper Club that had been running for 11 years at Trinity United Church. No questions were asked and all were welcome in an effort to maintain dignity for those in need. Robbie Irvine from The Oar & Paddle donated milk and eggs each week to add to the giveaway.
G.A.P. would then launch a Tuesday Community Lunch - that was enjoyed by about 30 neighbours each week - to provide an opportunity for neighbours to enjoy some conversation along with a bowl of soup and a sandwich. These conversations provided opportunities to become aware of other needs within the community, while sharing information with neighbours about other resources that might be available to them. Homemade knitted items from the Gravenhurst Public Library Mitten Tree were shared with whoever could use them.
In September of 2019, Val Ceschia, who was the organizer of the Thurday Night Supper Club, asked G.A.P. to assume responsibility for it, which G.A.P. graciously accepted. The Supper Club would grow to 60-70 neighbours each week and the Thursday suppers continued to provide a vital link between the community and Gravenhurst Against Poverty.
Opportunities to volunteer for the Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser and within the newly formed G.A.P. Garden Program were taken up by several neighbours with lived experience and G.A.P. was now beginning to take shape. Just prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, a plan had been initiated to invite volunteer mental health counsellors to be available to speak to anyone who was looking for that kind of support.
On March 19th, 2020 Gravenhurst Against Poverty served the last in-house meal before needing to close in relation to the pandemic. Just one week later, on March 26th, G.A.P. was able to pivot and adapt the Food Program to a Take Out offering. This consisted of a meal with fresh produce and protein that was given out in the parking lot at Trinity United Church. While physical distancing was enforced, along with hand sanitizer that was made available, the crowds were a concern and G.A.P. knew further evolution of the program was needed to not only serve those who were showing up, but those who weren't making the trip in because of the concerns of COVID-19. Names and phone numbers were collected from program participants and a delivery program was launched.
This crucial evolution - offering delivery to our neighbours - was made possible by generous support from several key players and community champtions. This included the Gravenhurst Rotary Club (donated $20,000 for Grocery Cards), the District of Muskoka's Care For a Neighbour Program (donated $10,000), Community Care Access Canada (sent $50,000 in Grocery Cards), Caretagion (a local initiative, reached out to assist with the food delivery), the Canadian Red Cross, local restaurants and more.
Meals, which were originally purchased from, but later generously donated by, the Canadian Red Cross, ensured that G.A.P.'s volunteer cooks could remain safe at home. Several local restaurants also stepped up to support the cause through meal donations. This included: The Oar & Paddle, Well Fed, Relish and The Butcher's Daughters.
With the delivery option now available, the pandemic in full swing and the cost of living on the rise, the Food Program numbers began to rise. 50... neighbours. Then 100 neighours. Then 200. Currently, despite being on the other side of the pandemic, food insecurity continues to be a serious challenge for our community and the Food Program provides good to 650+ neighbours each and every week.
Gravenhurst Against Poverty continues to partner with Provincial and Regional service groups, organizations and agencies. G.A.P. has been fortunate to collaborat with Amy Snow and the Feed It Forward program; the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation in Huntsville; Eat Local Muskoka, Fields of Green, Sobey's, Giant Tiger, the Independent Grocer and many others.
On November 30th, 2020, G.A.P. launched a second food day - a fresh meal pick-up that runs every Tuesday.
The Gravenhurst Against Poverty Food Program was created directly in response to a 2018 Needs Assessment survey that was conducted with neighbours who lived in Gravenhurst and the surrounding area. Respondents indicated that there was a need for fresh produce and protein. G.A.P. began a fresh produce and protein giveaway in collaboration with the Thursday Night Supper Club that had been running for 11 years at Trinity United Church. No questions were asked and all were welcome in an effort to maintain dignity for those in need. Robbie Irvine from The Oar & Paddle donated milk and eggs each week to add to the giveaway.
G.A.P. would then launch a Tuesday Community Lunch - that was enjoyed by about 30 neighbours each week - to provide an opportunity for neighbours to enjoy some conversation along with a bowl of soup and a sandwich. These conversations provided opportunities to become aware of other needs within the community, while sharing information with neighbours about other resources that might be available to them. Homemade knitted items from the Gravenhurst Public Library Mitten Tree were shared with whoever could use them.
In September of 2019, Val Ceschia, who was the organizer of the Thurday Night Supper Club, asked G.A.P. to assume responsibility for it, which G.A.P. graciously accepted. The Supper Club would grow to 60-70 neighbours each week and the Thursday suppers continued to provide a vital link between the community and Gravenhurst Against Poverty.
Opportunities to volunteer for the Coldest Night of the Year Fundraiser and within the newly formed G.A.P. Garden Program were taken up by several neighbours with lived experience and G.A.P. was now beginning to take shape. Just prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, a plan had been initiated to invite volunteer mental health counsellors to be available to speak to anyone who was looking for that kind of support.
On March 19th, 2020 Gravenhurst Against Poverty served the last in-house meal before needing to close in relation to the pandemic. Just one week later, on March 26th, G.A.P. was able to pivot and adapt the Food Program to a Take Out offering. This consisted of a meal with fresh produce and protein that was given out in the parking lot at Trinity United Church. While physical distancing was enforced, along with hand sanitizer that was made available, the crowds were a concern and G.A.P. knew further evolution of the program was needed to not only serve those who were showing up, but those who weren't making the trip in because of the concerns of COVID-19. Names and phone numbers were collected from program participants and a delivery program was launched.
This crucial evolution - offering delivery to our neighbours - was made possible by generous support from several key players and community champtions. This included the Gravenhurst Rotary Club (donated $20,000 for Grocery Cards), the District of Muskoka's Care For a Neighbour Program (donated $10,000), Community Care Access Canada (sent $50,000 in Grocery Cards), Caretagion (a local initiative, reached out to assist with the food delivery), the Canadian Red Cross, local restaurants and more.
Meals, which were originally purchased from, but later generously donated by, the Canadian Red Cross, ensured that G.A.P.'s volunteer cooks could remain safe at home. Several local restaurants also stepped up to support the cause through meal donations. This included: The Oar & Paddle, Well Fed, Relish and The Butcher's Daughters.
With the delivery option now available, the pandemic in full swing and the cost of living on the rise, the Food Program numbers began to rise. 50... neighbours. Then 100 neighours. Then 200. Currently, despite being on the other side of the pandemic, food insecurity continues to be a serious challenge for our community and the Food Program provides good to 650+ neighbours each and every week.
Gravenhurst Against Poverty continues to partner with Provincial and Regional service groups, organizations and agencies. G.A.P. has been fortunate to collaborat with Amy Snow and the Feed It Forward program; the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation in Huntsville; Eat Local Muskoka, Fields of Green, Sobey's, Giant Tiger, the Independent Grocer and many others.
On November 30th, 2020, G.A.P. launched a second food day - a fresh meal pick-up that runs every Tuesday.