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WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2015
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VOL. 38 NO. 03 $1.30 inc. GST
Bannock Thursday draws a crowd REBECCA WATSON Caledonia Courier
Brinnngggg, Brinnngggg The 11 o’clock alarm sounds. Woooooooooosh. A Tsunami of students rush into the halls. Shark like, the students circle two tables in the front foyer. It’s Bannock Thursday at Fort St James Secondary School (FSJSS) and the kids just get so excited, Elaine Dyer A.K.A ‘Grannie’, said. “I’ve been coming to the high school for years to volunteer knit, but now I help with the bannock and the kids just love it,” she said. Shirley Pierre and Irene Antoine started the bannock program six years ago giving FSJSS students a free hot treat every Thursday. Amy Felix, Vanessa Prince and Grannie also help prepare the treats which are out on three large tables in the front foyer to allow for a quick, get-it-yourself service. “It really gets you through the week knowing bannock is coming Thursdays,” Hannah Denengelsen, 16, student at FSJSS, said and she chowed down her bannock and jam. “I like how it brings everyone in the school into one place, it’s fun,” Rachael Crook, 18, FSJSS student, said.
Elaine Dyer, A.K.A Grannie, stands in front of the rushing crowd at FSJSS’s Bannock Thursday. Rebecca Watson photo
Meeting hunger needs in Fort St. James REBECCA WATSON Caledonia Courier
Sausage, eggs, pancakes and cereal are luxury items when your pockets are empty. For some people this is a harsh reality which is why Reverends Roy and Gwen Andrews of the Anglican Church started to address the topic in Nov 2010 by offering a soup lunch at St. Patrick’s Church every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Subsequently, they were joined in this effort by Our Lady of Snows Roman Catholic, Evangelico Free and Camp Living Water in Vanderhoof. The program has since been taken over but the Stuart Lake Outreach group who also offers a food bank on the third Wednesday of each month. Now, nearly every day a breakfast or lunch is being served in the community for people to enjoy a hot meal who would otherwise not have one. “Whenever I fall on hard times I go to St. Patrick’s. It’s not too often but it’s nice to know it’s an option when your short on money and can’t do anything,” Anthony Lebrun, 56, said, who is on disability and gets $600 a month. “I mean it’s ok but doesn’t really buy you much.” Four community groups (Fire Weed, Northern Health, Nak’azdli and Judy Greenaway and Katie Black volunteer for breakfast. “I moved here 41 years ago Nak’albun) sponsor the breakfast program and this community has given so much to my husband and I and our family, it’s time to at St. Patricks which runs every Thursday give back,” Greenaway said. Rebecca Watson photos from 9 -11 a.m. A bannock social at the
KEY is also open to the public every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. “These services are such a good supplement and the social aspect is very important,” Rev. Gwen said. “What we’ve seen is there’s now a greater understanding of the various needs of people and great willingness of people in Fort St. James to come together to meet those needs.”
Russell Prince, 67, enjoys his hearty breakfast at the St. Patrick’s church Thursday Morning.