Montague food bank buys generator for power outages

People in the Montague area will soon have a new place to stay warm during the next power outage thanks to the local food bank.

Four years ago, Lawrence Power and his wife Marlene moved the Southern Kings and Queens Food Bank into its new, larger home. Since then, they've had a generator on their wish list, something Lawrence says is needed in the community.

"We kind of feel that it's our clients who will probably need it the most, and seniors," he said.

There are only a couple of places in the Montague area for people to warm up during a power outage, so the machine is a welcome new addition. Power says they'll turn the generator on if the power goes out for 24 hours.

The food bank's clothing room will be converted into a warming centre, with sandwiches and coffee available.

"Get some more chairs, so they can come in and play cards and shoot the breeze and whatever," he said. "We have a TV so we'll have some videos for the kids."

Cost about $3,000

The generator and equipment cost about $3,000, paid for through a provincial government grant.

"It feels great, it feels good you know, and hopefully we never have to use it, but we're here if they need it," Power said. "We couldn't wait until it happened."

Pamphlets are now being distributed to clients, telling them about the news.

Power says with a record number of clients using the food bank, the generator is coming at the right time.

"Last month we broke the record with 193 families ... usually we have around 160," he said.

Along with the new equipment comes new security concerns. The food bank has had a couple of attempted break-ins at the new barn housing the generator.

Power says next on his wish list is a security camera.