Port Cares is so much more than a food bank

When we hear the words ‘food bank’, most of us think of a place where people can go to get food when they need it. It sounds simple enough, but it’s not. Poverty is “highly complex,” said Christine Clark-Lafleur, CEO of Port Cares. “There are so many contributing factors, requiring a wraparound approach to support. We are so much more than a food bank, we do offer meals but it is through our community navigator program that we can really make a long-term impact.”

When we hear the words ‘food bank’, most of us think of a place where people can go to get food when they need it. It sounds simple enough, but it’s not. Poverty is “highly complex,” said Christine Clark-Lafleur, CEO of Port Cares.

The Community Navigator Program at Port Cares receives funding from United Way and is a “critical function of the agency.” The program works to offer ‘help, hope and opportunity for all’ by building trust and providing people with the tools and resources they need. Food insecurity is one symptom of poverty, and can’t be solved without addressing the underlying issues.

A vital community resource

Port Cares currently serves more than 3,000 residents of Port Colborne, a significant percentage of the city’s population. The agency is a lifeline for children, families and seniors who courageously walk through its doors. “We work diligently to make this a warm and welcoming space, it’s hard enough to show up, let alone ask for help,” said Clark-Lafleur. “People initially come to us for food, but once they are here we can work with them to determine what their individual needs are and connect them with those wraparound supports.”

“People initially come to us for food, but once they are here we can work with them to determine what their individual needs are and connect them with those wraparound supports.”

Making ends meet while living on a low-income brings other challenges. “When people are facing hunger there is often other crisis intervention supports they could use. Something as simple as help filing their taxes, connecting to medical care, negotiating with a landlord or even legal advice can be the first step towards getting someone back on track,” noted Clark-Lafleur.

Connecting people with resources

On an average day the agency’s meal program serves as many as 198 meals to individuals and families. “Every person we meet has their own story to tell and reasons for being in the situation they’re in,” said Clark-Lafleur. It may be a mental health issue, job loss, addiction or family breakdown that pushes a person or family into poverty. It could also be generational, or all of the above. The reasons are endless. One thing is certain, it is always more than just hunger. “In order to really help people, we need to dig deeper,” she said. “We have to find out why they are struggling to afford food in the first place and then provide the right resources.”

“Every person we meet has their own story to tell and reasons for being in the situation they’re in,” said Clark-Lafleur. It may be a mental health issue, job loss, addiction or family breakdown that pushes a person or family into poverty. It could also be generational, or all of the above. The reasons are endless. One thing is certain, it is always more than just hunger.

Understanding that poverty involves more than just lacking material resources, Port Cares goes above and beyond basic food assistance. Acknowledging the interconnectedness of issues like housing and mental health, the agency adopts a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of poverty.

Made possible by your support, Port Cares continues to empower individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures.