NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE SOUTH SIMCOE MÉTIS COUNCIL
*************************
The Barrie South Simcoe Métis Council (BSSMC) opens its doors twice a month for Métis citizens who are facing food insecurity and barriers accessing mainstream food banks.
“With other food banks, it can be a big production to get registered into the system,” says BSSMC secretary Danielle Callender. “Our food bank doesn’t require Métis Nation of Ontario citizens to show financial need through things like bank statements.
"Some people need it just for that month to get by. There might be some unexpected bills that come up and they don't need it all the time.”
With that being said, the BSSMC’s food bank has seen an increase in local Métis citizens needing service, serving over 100 people a month, with 20 families consistently visiting the food bank.
BSSMC chair Tony Muscat started the food bank three years ago during COVID-19 when he saw a need in the community.
The BSSMC relies on funding from the Métis Nation of Ontario, but also donations from local citizens and businesses, one of which is the local COBS Bread Bakery.
“COBS is an amazing organization,” says Muscat. “At the end of every day, they donate to local charities and non-profits, and it's just something we heard about. We put our name in right away.”
The BSSMC also relies on the community for support and donations. When the food bank first started, citizens who were able to help decided to give back to the community by donating to the food bank, with one citizen donating $700. Other citizens donate food directly.
As for citizens in need, the BSSMC sends out emails to their citizens each month asking them to sign up if they require food for the month.
If citizens miss the sign-up deadline, Muscat says not to worry: “If citizens reach out to us during the month, we can still support them if they run into trouble.”
If you’re a business owner in the Barrie area and would like to support the Barrie South Simcoe Metis Council food bank, you can contact the BSSMC at [email protected].
*************************
