Timmins Good Food Market paused amid funding crunch
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins has cut its Good Food Market amid a funding shortfall. The program, offering discounted produce, is on hold until grants are secured. The organization seeks donations and is planning new fundraising efforts to address budget needs. Lydia Chubak reports.
The Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins has been forced to scale back some of its programs after struggling to secure sufficient funding. Among the affected initiatives is the Good Food Market, which has been put on hold until the organization can secure a new grant.
'Due to just high competition, there's more and more people applying for these types of grants,' said the charity's executive director Kelsey MacDonnell, explaining the organization's challenges.
Good Food Market's impact and funding history
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins - Good Food Market
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins has had to put a pause on its Good Food Market program until it can secure funding to operate it. A previous market event is shown in this file photo. (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)
For the past four years, the Good Food Market has provided residents with access to affordable fresh produce. The program was initially launched with a three-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Two other funding agencies stepped in to support the initiative for a fourth year, but securing additional resources has proven difficult.
'The feedback we got from the funders (was) our applications were great, it's just so competitive; they have to make choices, and we weren't successful,' said MacDonnell.
Staff reductions and ongoing struggles
The funding shortfall has also led to staffing cuts, with two employees being let go.
'It's very tough; we feel it,' MacDonnell said.
A local volunteer with the Ontario Trillium Foundation's grant review committee provided context to CTV News.
'We're still in a COVID hangover and the number of applications requesting funds is exponentially higher than what can be granted.'
— Ontario Trillium Foundation, grant review committee volunteer
Exploring alternative solutions
Despite the setbacks, MacDonnell remains committed to finding new funding sources and exploring different ways to deliver fresh produce to the community. She expressed gratitude for local grocers who have already offered support.
In the meantime, the Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins will continue operating its other programs, including the Good Food Box initiative, community gardens and cooking workshops.
'We just want to create a space for people to connect and find similarities and feel like they're not alone,' MacDonnell said.
Fundraising efforts and future plans
To help bridge the financial gap, the organization has launched a charity fundraiser. MacDonnell and a colleague have pledged to shave their heads if they can raise $20,000 by Sept. 5.
'Yeah, that's where we're at and that's the goal we need to make just to bring our donations up to where they usually are and just general donations at this time of the year,' the director said.
Looking ahead, the coalition plans to introduce a 50-50 draw in the fall as another way to generate much-needed support.
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