Image: L. Gomes / PML / According to Mumford, the store serves approximately 300 families every Sunday; and within three hours, 3,000 lbs. of food is gone.

By Laurice Gomes

Skwah First Nation free store helps alleviate food insecurity

Aug 11, 2022 | 6:21 PM

CHILLIWACK — A free store run in the Skwah First Nation community is offering support for people who need it. Raylene Mumford, who is the health director, said the store first opened its doors in August 2021.

“We run a free store based on supporting our First Nations elders, families,” Mumford said. “And then we also support folks that have no food, or they have barriers to getting food, or they are in poverty, or have systemic poverty issues.”

The store is open on Sundays only, with Saturdays and Sundays used to unload and unpack food.

“Our First Nations families shop around 11:30 a.m., and then all the other folks that need food come around 12:30 p.m.,” she said.

Mumford explained that the store offers three to four meat selections, plenty of fruit and vegetables, and bread products.

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“We don’t serve anything processed; it’s only fresh food,” she explained. “Sometimes there is wild meat.”

According to Mumford, the store serves approximately 300 families every Sunday, and within three hours, 3,000 lbs. of food is gone.

“We support them during the week, and we might have like a lunch,” she remarked.”Like today, we’re having burgers and stuff. So, we have lunch during the week if people are stuck.”

The health director said organizations and individuals have stepped up by making donations to help stock the shelves at the store and, consequently, help families put food on the table.

“We work with an amazing organization called Guru Nanaks Kitchen, and they helped with the stores in Abbotsford to secure food through their program,” Mumford said. “We are just about to start working with Costco. We have workplaces like the SinAmen Bun Company in Chilliwack and a few other private folks that drop off food and supplies.”

The store also offers help with clothing, housing, and houseware items.

“People can come and get anything they need—toiletries, hygiene, food, zero barriers,” she said.

While financial donations aren’t accepted, people are welcome to make food donations or gently used second-hand items such as clothing.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Storage room for bread.