BARRHEAD- Karen Gariepy hopes the increase in the usage of Barrhead food bank is a momentary blip.
Gariepy told County of Barrhead councillors during their July 20 meeting that since school paused for summer break, the Barrhead and District Family Community Support Services’ (FCSS) food bank has seen a substantial increase in usage.
Gariepy is FCSS' new executive director, taking over from Shelly Dewsnap. She visited the council to introduce herself and give an update on the status of the not-for-profit society. It should be noted that the food bank is part of FCSS' community programming.
"The last couple of weeks the number of clients seeking our services has gone up," she said, adding she is not sure why.
In a July 13 interview with the Barrhead Leader, food bank coordinator Cheri Jantz said that in June, 15 more clients, many from multiperson households, requested food hampers.
She added that while the numbers the food bank sees in the month can vary, ranging from a low of 115 clients to 175 in the last year, overall food bank use is on the rise.
Reeve Doug Drozd suggested the increase in food bank usage could be tied to the fact that a number of the federal government's COVID-19 support programs, such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, had or were coming to an end.
Emergency preparedness
Gariepy said one of her immediate tasks is to increase the organization's ability to serve as a defacto Emergency Social Services (ESS) unit during an emergency.
In small communities, FCSS is often called upon to take on the role by municipalities as part of their emergency plan, during an emergency or natural disaster.
"ESS is something I am passionate about," Gariepy said.
However, she said in conversations with FCSS staff, she learned that they do not feel comfortable in that role, which is why she has arranged for training through Alberta Emergency Social Services.
"[ESS is an area I want in the forefront right now," Gariepy said, adding several Alberta communities have been activated due to apartment and wildfires to the prolonged heatwave Western Canada experienced.
Gariepy added in her more than 30-year career in municipal government that she has been "activated" several times in an ESS role.
Before coming to Barrhead, she served as the chief administrative officer for the Town of Beaverlodge. She also spent time as the municipality's FCSS director.
Before that she served as Grande Prairie's crime prevention program manager and again worked with the city's FCSS along with other social agencies, helping create much of the city's social programming.
Senior programs
Gariepy said FCSS is looking to expand its Meals on Wheels program, which provides senior citizens or other people who may not be able to cook for themselves an opportunity to have a nutritious hot meal delivered to their door.
The Barrhead Healthcare Centre makes the meals, while FCSS administers the program and provides volunteer drivers. The initiative is part of FCSS' seniors home support initiative that helps people stay in their homes longer.
She noted the program is capped at 10 because that is the number of meals the hospital is able or willing to make.
"But we are getting a lot of requests from seniors who are interested in joining the program," Gariepy said.
Starting in the fall, as part of a trial program, they will add up to 20 additional seniors to the list, one or two times a week. The meals would be made through FCSS’ hot lunch initiative at Barrhead Elementary School. Funding would come through FCSS' community stream.
Advocacy and support
Gariepy noted FCSS is seeing a noticeable increase in people looking for support, whether it be in helping clients access income supports such as Employment Insurance or navigating other government and not-for-profit organization assistance programs.
"With some of our partners not having their offices open due to COVID, it has increased the number of people looking for us to help," she said.
Gariepy added they have especially seen a significant increase in people inquiring about FCSS' subsidized counselling program and they expect to field more requests.
She noted that FCSS increased the funding to the program once already after it was exhausted due to demand and she expects to ask the board to transfer additional monies to the program.
FCSS is also seeing an increase in the number of people wanting to access services of its family violence prevention program, Thrive.
Thrive is funded through community donations.
"Again, in the last few weeks, our numbers have been going up. It is ridiculous, the number of clients we are seeing due to domestic violence," Gariepy said, adding she is actively looking for funding avenues so the program can continue into 2022.
Thrive's future has been tentative since 2018 after its Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF) grant came to an end. Since then the program has survived through community donations, including from local service clubs.
Youth programming and volunteers
Gariepy said they are looking to expand the services it provides to youth, but what form that takes will largely be dependent on whether or not FCSS receives a $2.5 million, five-year federal grant.
She also said they are preparing to gear up for a full opening starting in the fall and as a result, they will be looking to add their volunteer roster.
During the pandemic and various public health requirements, FCSS programming has changed, often dramatically, as they scaled back or transitioned to online versions.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
