St. Vincent Place is proud to be partnering with the Goulais Fire & Rescue Volunteers to bring access to our food bank to the Goulais River community.
How does it work?
A volunteer will be available at the Goulais River Fire Hall every other Monday from 6:30 to 8:00pm to complete intakes with clients seeking help with food. (See calendar with dates highlighted below.) You'll be asked a few questions, show your ID, and then be on your way.
The next day (Tuesday), volunteers with Goulais Fire & Rescue will pick up your food package from St. Vincent Place in the Sault and bring it to Goulais for you to pick up at the fire hall or, if needed, deliver to your home. We will not have food packages on hand on Monday evenings.
FAQ
Can I access this in addition to the St. Vincent Place food bank in the Sault?
This is not a program offered over and above our food bank in town, but as a part of it. You'll still only be able to access once every two months, regardless of which location you visit.
What do I need to bring with me?
Be sure to bring ID for yourself and anyone else in the house.
I've never accessed a food bank before. What should I expect?
We try to keep things as simple as possible. You'll sit down with our volunteer, show your ID, and they'll ask you a few simple questions about yourself and your family. Although we do ask for your source of income for our stats, we don't ask any invasive questions about your financial situation - we trust that if you're coming to us for help, it's because you need the help.
There will be a couple of minor differences between the Access Link and our regular food bank. Our volunteer will go over what is in a standard food bank package with you to ensure you won't receive items you definitely won't use. We will try to make substitutions if possible, but can't guarantee what is available at a given time.
For the Access Link, you'll also indicate whether you can pick up your package at the Fire Hall or if you need it delivered. The next day, volunteers from Goulais Fire & Rescue will collect the packages from St. Vincent Place and bring them to Goulais, where you'll either pick it up or it will be delivered to you.
How often can I access the Goulais River Access Link?
Just like our regular food bank in town, you can access once every two months.
Can I receive Period Pantry (menstrual) products?
Yes, our volunteer will ask if you need any menstrual products as part of your intake and they will be included in your package.
