The local food bank will be moved from its current location at the United Church to the Town Hall Theatre building on Elora Street.
Minto council approved the use of the former OPP satellite office in the building by the food bank at its April 1 meeting.
With the recent opening of the Wellington County OPP’s new North Wellington detachment at Teviotdale, the Harriston satellite office is no longer required by the police service.
White’s Road Pentacostal Church Pastor Kevin McKee, chair of the Harriston Food Bank Committee said the new location is needed as the United Church is looking to use the space currently occupied by the food bank for other purposes. In a letter to council, McKee also notes longtime food bank coordinator Bev May is moving on from the role and that the newly-formed committee is not a formal recognized charity at this point. He describes the committee as “a group of volunteers and citizens of Harriston who are in the process of taking over the leadership and direction of the food bank.”
“As the food bank is not yet represented by a non-profit organization, the group will be occupying the space as volunteers and would have to be covered by the town’s liability insurance,” said Minto CAO Bill White. While there is no organization to sign a lease with, White recommended council consider an initial three-year arrangement.
A report by White to council notes facilities manager Al Carr has discussed the space with officials of the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild and the Minto Dance Academy, the two other tenants of the town-owned building. White notes the dance academy “had some interest” as planned washroom renovations will displace the academy’s current storage space. “Food bank representatives are willing to work with the dance academy in this regard,” White states in the report.
“They’re more than willing to offer up space for storage if, in fact, there is a viable option within the former OPP station,” White told council.
The report points out there are no additional costs to the town to accommodate the food bank in the former OPP space.
“I think it’s a great project going forward,” said Mayor George Bridge, who commended May for long-term contribution to the food bank. “Bev did an amazing job for all those years.” Bridge noted the new food bank committee is also looking at outreach programs, including involvement with a planned community garden project and also a “community kitchen,” down the road, to show people how to cook.
