Minto residents continue to help each other as Foodland's future discussed
While there is a lot of talk on the streets about the future of Minto's burned-down Foodland, one thing is certain: residents continue to lend each other a hand.
Donald Gould, mayor the village about 50 kilometres east of Fredericton, said Monday that demand has been low for volunteers to transport people to grocery stores in other areas.
"We have the system all set up to take people at least to Chipman to get basic needs," Gould said, but hardly anyone has taken up the offer.
- Fire destroys Minto's only grocery store
- 'Where do we go from here?': Minto bands together as grocery store burns
He said this is because Minto residents have been doing their best to help each other since the village's only grocery store burned to the ground in early June.
"Family, friends, neighbours are taking care of those that don't have transportation," he said.
"Minto has been known over the years to support people that are in need and, in this case here, I mean, we're looking at basic staples, food, and people care about each other and I think are responding to help each other."
Kim Thornton, director of nursing at the W.G. Bishop Nursing Home in Minto, said the home's shuttle service for seniors didn't need to take any of the four trips it had planned. Only one call has come in.
"What we're surmising is that [from] the date of the fire, all the residents were probably good for groceries," she said.
"And, I mean, it's so new, probably family and friends are really stepping up."
Everybody do your share
Shauna Selig, communications manager for Sobeys Atlantic, said in an email that "good news" and next steps for Minto's Foodland could be decided as early as Tuesday.
As conversations about the store have moved forward, so have efforts to rid the village of any remnants of the fire.
Shaun Gallagher of Donegal Ltd., the company that owns the property Foodland was on, said cleanup of the site went "exceptionally well" with the help of local people and Jules Fasquel Ltd., a Minto contractor.
"There were no environmental issues that presented themselves on the site," Gallagher said.
Donegal has been involved in conversations between Sobeys and the village about options for the store.
Mayor Gould said there have been many conversations about the possibilities, but nothing has been finalized.
"They're saying they're going to rebuild, and also they're looking at having some type of temporary store in the interim," he said.
"So, we're hoping that will come to fruition."
Regardless of how long it would take to get a solution for Minto residents, Gould said all volunteers and residents are fully prepared to continue helping those who need it most.
"Things have gone well thus far and, as I say, we're prepared that if there is a high demand, we have the support so far as even some school buses, if need be, to transport people," he said.
"So, we're in a position to help over the next few months."
