Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation gets anti-poverty grant to support busy soup kitchen
Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation's soup kitchen has received $ 70,000 over two years, as part of a $1.75 million grant from the N.W.T. government's anti-poverty fund.
The First Nation was one of 58 recipients of the grant across the N.W.T.
Derek Squirrel, the community wellness co-ordinator with the First Nation said the funding is good news, because more residents have been using the soup kitchen in recent years.
"A lot of clientele are low income and some people surrounding the community ... the high cost of living and the cost of food have gone up ... people struggle to put food on the table even if it's for a single person," Squirrel said.
He said that year-round ferry access issues also affect food inventory.
"One thing we have been talking about is having a bridge within our community so that we aren't reliant on the ferry," he said.
"There is a lot of food that's going through the store especially during summers and forest fires season."
Derek Squirrel is the community wellness co-ordinator with Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation. (Submitted by Derek Squirrel)
Muaz Hassan, a convenience store owner in the community, said the funding won't go far enough.
"$35,000 isn't going to do anything for the region, I believe," Hassan said. "Just yesterday, if you go to the Northern store, you won't find tomatoes, milk and many products."
The regular ferry interruptions make things worse because nearby communities like Jean Marie River depend on the grocery store in the community, he said.
The First Nation is trying to find creative ways to solve these problems, like bringing in food by plane.
Squirrel said they are looking to make use of the great soil and sunlight available in Fort Simpson. The soup kitchen also receives donations from hunters.
"Some hunters come in and donate meat to the soup kitchen. There are still plans underway for gardening and planting our own vegetables for the kitchen to ensure some sustainability, so we are not solely dependent on this funding," he said.
Other grants through the anti-poverty fund include $50,000 for LEAP Transitional Housing, a project from the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities and $55,000 for the Food First Program to support food programs in N.W.T. schools.
