A full bus means full stomachs

The final stop for many shoppers last week was the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank’s bus.

Parked in front of NorthMart and Arctic Ventures, the bus was a one-stop drop-off for donations of food and money to help feed the hungry of Iqaluit over the holidays.

“We literally need a bus-full,” said Jen Hayward, one of the volunteers with the food bank. “It gives a visual sense of what it takes to feed the community.”

The idea for the “Stuff a Bus” fundraiser came from her hometown of Halifax, where the local food bank has encouraged donations in this way.

Between 40 and 60 bags of food a week will go out when the food bank opens on Dec. 13 and 20 in the dome building on Iqaluit’s Ring Road.

This year, Hayward said the Christmas bags would contain hamburger, pork chops, fresh fruit, canned goods and juice and “something special for the kids.”

Money collected during the “Stuff a Bus” drive will be used to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables.

Single people and families with children are among those who regularly come to the food bank. Some have jobs, others don’t.

But everyone is welcome.

“We don’t ask any questions,” Hayward said,

By mid-afternoon, the food bank’s bus was getting full with boxes of food, while many people came over to drop off more canned goods or offer money.