HOW TO ACCESS FOOD
**New Measures during COVID-19
** Download and print version-25March20
** Food Hamper Safety – WRHA-FoodBanksHampers-30March2020
We are striving to ensure all Manitobans who need it have access to emergency, temporary food support. To stretch our resources and serve an anticipated larger number of clients, we are preparing emergency food hampers for distribution through our network of community food banks and partner organizations, more than 300 across Manitoba.
These food hampers will contain 10-14 days of food support to help stretch your budget over a 4-week period. Also, due to significant food shortages right now, the composition of the hamper will change. Instead of a 50/50 split between fresh and non-perishable items, most of the food will be non-perishable. Our ability to produce hampers is based on contributions from retail partners, food drives and other donations. In the event that food shortages continue, we may have to revise the size or contents of our food hampers and ration even further. Details regarding the contents of food hampers is below.
STEPS TO ACCESS FOOD
Step 1. Contact the Food Assistance Call Centre to book an appointment at your local food bank:
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9:15 AM – 3:15 PM, Saturday 9:15 AM – 12:15 PM
- Please have your Manitoba Health Card ready
In Winnipeg:
Phone: (204) 982-3660
Email: appointments@winnipegharvest.org
Outside Winnipeg:
Phone: (1-800) 970-5559
Email: kellym@winnipegharvest.org
Step 2. Attend Your Appointment
– Bring your Manitoba Health Card to your local food bank, and bags or boxes to carry your food hamper.
– Read what you will receive below.
Step 3. Following your appointment
– Call or Email the Food Assistance Line in Step 1 to book your next appointment.
Food Hampers – what you will receive:
- As supplies last, we will provide 1 pre-packaged Food Hamper per registered address every 4 weeks with food support for a 10-14 day period. Hamper will be roughly the size of 3 plastic grocery bags.
Food Hampers will include a selection of non-perishable items including Canned Soup, Canned Vegetables, Pasta and Sauce, Dry Lentils, Bouillon cubes, Oatmeal, Rice, Peanut Butter, Canned Meat, Pancake Mix, Crackers, Cookies, and other items as available. There will be no special items like gluten free, no daily extras, and no other perishable items, pet food, diapers, feminine hygiene, etc. For now, Hampers will also include bread, milk, baby formula and baby food. Food banks may help provide supplementary food to help families and individuals stretch their budgets, however it is not expected to meet all food needs.
Recipes-March2020 are available to view or download to help make meals from these items.