Nanaimo's 7-10 club is facing hard times financially, meaning they may be forced to stop the critical meal service they offer. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Critical service

Free meal program in Nanaimo’s downtown faces funding crunch

Nov 3, 2019 | 1:35 PM

NANAIMO — A society providing meals to Nanaimo’s less fortunate will themselves be reaching out for help to bridge a funding gap.

7-10 Club Society chair Gord Fuller expected their board of directors will have to generate $20,000 to $30,000 next year. Fuller said what remains of a substantial donation gifted to the society five years ago is running out.

“It’s going to require the board to pull up our shirt sleeves, get out there, do a lot more fundraising, apply for grants that are available and become more visible,” Fuller said.

7-10 Club Society staff and volunteers serve hot breakfast and bagged lunches to about 250 people every weekday morning at the Community Services Building on Fitzwilliam St, Fuller said.

He said while their operating costs and demand are rising, the needs of the working poor and street entrenched are also at an all-time high.

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“It’s getting tougher to survive and people sadly do things they may not want to in order to survive. The 7-10 Club prevents that from happening,” Fuller said.

He said the Society has an annual budget of roughly $160,000, with a critical funding base of about $55,000 from provincial gaming grants.

He said there are limited fund-raising dollars available for local social organizations, which is why 7-10 Club wasn’t active on that front over the past few years.

Rory Koncar told NanaimoNewsNOW dropping by for meals off and on for several years removed burdens

“Things like shoplifting don’t crop into the forefront of your mind to be able to eat. At least here you’re able to grab something to eat and you don’t have hunger pains.”

Koncar said the public might be surprised by the range of people who turn to the society for help.

“I’ve noticed young mom’s quite often bring their kids here to grab a bagged lunch on their way to school. It seems to be not just necessarily people with a drug addiction or live on the street.”

While enjoying a hot bowl of oatmeal and coffee, the recently homeless Tony Curran said the 7-10 Club should be commended for the work they do.

He was concerned to hear the society is dealing with a funding crunch.

“This is an important service, most people here come everyday,” Curran said.

You can donate to the 7-10 Club Society here.

Ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes