ARICHAT - The operators of the Isle Madame Food Bank are hoping to enlist Richmond Municipal Council's help to find a new permanent home. 

Several volunteers from the food bank appeared at this week's regular monthly meeting of Richmond Municipal Council to make their pitch for municipal assistance to track down a new permanent location. The local food bank has existed for several years at the West Arichat site of a former Catholic Church that now serves as the headquarters of the Stella Maris Pastoral Group, which takes in parishes in nearby Arichat and Petit de Grat. However, volunteer spokesperson Jacqueline Gerroir pointed out that this arrangement must be renewed on an annual basis, which lacks the stability the food bank, its supporters and its clientele require. 

"We've heard of other food banks where businesses have gotten together to fund a permanent location inside a vacant building, which would be perfect for us, because it would keep our costs down," Gerroir told the June 26 council meeting at the Richmond Municipal Building in Arichat. 

"But we would also be open to any vacant locations that would extend some dignity to our clientele and would be accessible to anyone who would need it, as well."

Warden Amanda Mombourquette told Gerroir that she would be willing to participate in future discussions about the relocation of the Isle Madame Food Bank, while District Three councillor Melanie Sampson suggested that the municipality reach out to local residents and businesses via their municipal social media channels. 

The same meeting saw Richmond councillors vote unanimously in favour of a municipal grant in the amount of $5,000 to the Louisdale Food Bank Society. 

As well, councillors approved grant requests to a pair of organizations in River Bourgeois - specifically, the River Bourgeois Mariners Society and the River Bourgeis Community Services Society, to assist with the relaunch of a community poker run and accessibility improvements to the Tara Lynne Community Centre, respectively.