Door of Hope struggling to stay open

The Door of Hope is having trouble balancing the books.

The organization which includes a soup kitchen and food bank is in debt for nearly $30,000.

The people behimd the scenes at Door of Hope recently sent a donation request to Meadow Lake city council.

The request was brought to the table during the March 29 meeting and was rejected based on a policy in place that states the city does not give charitable donations.

Councillor Annette Klassen said it was a difficult decision because the Door of Hope is such a valuable service in the community.

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“Mayor (Gary Vidal) and council are willing to offer personally our volunteer service. (Instead of city money) Whether it be volunteering our services or organizing food drives. We also encouraged ourselves to give personal donations,” Klassen said.

Dr. Mervin Johnson practiced medicine in Meadow Lake for 44 years before recently retiring. He also co-founded the Door of Hope in 1991 and sent the letter to council asking for a donation to help offset the growing debt.

He said he wasn’t surprised the request was denied and is thrilled with the initiative council has chosen to take.

“I’m really excited. I was hoping with what happened with the Lighthouse in the Battlefords the answer would be different but I’m excited with the response all the same,” he said. “I’m thrilled they will be advocating for us, whether that be advertising through word of mouth, or volunteering their time.

After a large portion of provincial funding was cut from the Lighthouse program, the city of North Battleford gave a one-time $30,000 donation.

Monday to Friday the Door of Hope offers breakfast and a hot lunch where typically around 70 people come through the doors. Lately there’s been over 80 people showing up for a hot meal and Johnson thinks it’s mainly because the economy is currently so tough.

Everything the Door of Hope serves is given through donation whether that be from individuals, churches or the local grocery stores – Extra Foods and Co-op who donate all its soon to expire food.

Besides offering a hot meal at lunch time, the Door of Hope also has a food bank where they typically go through 4,400 lbs of food per month. A low income apartment building is next door to the Door of Hope and once a week, Dr. Johnson and other health officials treat people who use the Door of Hope. Those who walk into the doors can also browse a small thrift shop.

Johnson said the biggest thing they need right now is money. This year is the Door of Hope’s 25th anniversary and he added he wants to see many more years, something that will only be possible with more support.

Volunteers are always welcome to serve lunch and donations for the Door of Hope are always gratefully accepted. The most in-demand donation item for the food bank is meat and produce which always seems to be in short supply.

cswiderski@jpbg.ca

On twitter: @coltonswiderski