Siloam Mission has put out an emergency call for donations as one of its kitchens in danger of closing.
The mission said its main kitchen may not last through the end of this year.
The mission’s housing facility, The Madison, opened in 2013 after renovations. However, there was not enough money left over to upgrade the kitchen.
Siloam is hoping to raise $150,000 to help replace equipment and update the safety system in the kitchen.
“We’ve got every bit out of that kitchen that we possibly can, and it’s come time,” said Jim Bell, CEO of Siloam Mission. “The equipment is old, it’s outdated, in some cases we can’t even find replacement parts for what needs to be done there.”
Bell said the kitchen is closely tied to The Madison, which houses people who have successfully transitioned out of homelessness, along with Indigenous youth.
“The suites there, they don’t have kitchens,” he said. “So everyone relies heavily on the main kitchen. It’s a place of community for everybody. It’s a desperate need for us, we want to get on top of that.”
Some of the items needed include an oven and grill, deep fryer, dishwasher, steamer, coffee machines, and bigger walk-in fridges and freezers, according to staff.
“There are parts of the kitchen that are old enough that replacement parts don’t even exist anymore,” said Luke Thiessen, communications manager for Siloam Mission. “It’s time to just redo the whole thing.”
Thiessen added that The Madison facility should be viewed on a larger scale in the city.
“The Madison is such an important part of trying to end homelessness in Winnipeg,” he said. “So it’s a small thing but it’s something we can come together and replace, make this a beautiful space and a safe space again for our community.”
Bell said the mission is hoping to raise the money by the end of the year.
You can donate money at siloam.ca/kitchen
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