Latest news with #AntiHungerCoalition
CTV News
24-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Timmins Good Food Market paused amid funding crunch
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins cut its Good Food Market amid funding shortfalls. The program, offering discounted produce, is on hold until grants are secured. 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.
CTV News
24-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Timmins discount produce program stalls 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.
CTV News
17-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins opens new teaching kitchen
Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins officially opened its industrial kitchen Monday, where it will make meals for the unhoused. Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins officially opened its industrial kitchen Monday. The space is outfitted with commercial-grade appliances as the organization plans to build a community by bringing people together to cook meals. Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins gave community leaders a tour Monday of its new industrial kitchen with commercial-grade appliances. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News) 'I think being in a group of people who all want to learn a similar skill can be very uplifting,' said Kelsey MacDonnell, the coalition's executive director. 'So creating that community environment, as well as a safe space to make mistakes and be able to learn from them.' The organization has a big vision for its new kitchen, which is located in the Rick Young Centre. Anti hunger Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins gave community leaders a tour Monday of its new industrial kitchen with commercial-grade appliances. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News) 'I've never made pizza before' 'So we want to be able to … hit a targeted demographic and be able to work through a series with them,' MacDonnell said. 'But we also want to leave it open for an individual to come through the doors and say, 'I've never made pizza before'… great, we can pop up a dough-making workshop.' Karandeep Kaur, a placement student who's currently learning at the coalition, said they prepare meals for the unhoused community. 'Or the people who are in need or those who are suffering from hunger,' Kaur said. 'Every Wednesday morning, we do have a pilot breakfast program, and we do give them food that we make muffins in the kitchen -- and even I learned how to make muffins.' The Ontario Trillium Foundation saw the potential for the kitchen when it awarded more than $170,000 to the coalition in Timmins to make it happen. 'Well, I mean, they were competing with (a lot of) other projects across the province, and they're all worthwhile, but it was such a great need,' said Steve Kidd of the Ontario Trillium Foundation's grant review team. 'It was all a function of overcoming the pandemic and like most not-for-profits, they were in a situation where they really needed funding, and they came back with a very good business plan.' MacDonnell said the kitchen is also available to rent and details are available on the Anti-Hunger Coalition's website.
