New Digs for Niverville Helping Hands

By Angelique Forest

The board of Niverville Helping Hands ad decided that the time has come to move if they are going accommodate their current and future needs. As of August, they will be moved into 101-106 Main Street. The organization has been providing food hampers to families in need for over 30 years, serving clients who reside not only in Niverville, but also in New Bothwell, Otterburne, and Ste. Agathe.

Starting in a basement back in the early 90s looking after one or two families, they have grown over the years transforming into a support for the communities. Over the past 3 years they’ve seen a significant rise in hamper applications. Throughout 2020 and 2021, they were serving 18-25 families twice a month, according to Larissa Sandulak, Chair of the Niverville Helping Hands Board. Sandulak started as a volunteer in 2020 and was appointed Chair in the beginning of 2022.

In 2022, the number of families relying on their services increased to approximately 35-38 and now as of March 2023, they are now serving just under 50 households twice a month, the majority of these being large families. It is noted that in the past six months alone, they’ve consistently received 3-5 new family hamper applications per month.

“Considering the current economic climate and forecast, as well as seasonal layoffs come fall, we are expecting these numbers to continue to increase,” added Sandulak. “As the numbers have grown, we noticed that our current pantry space and model for fulfilling hamper requests is no longer serving our clients or volunteers well.” with readily available ammunition; possession of a restricted firearm without a license; possession of a weapon obtained by crime; unsafe storage/transportation of a firearm and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Sebelley has been remanded into custody and will appear before a Provincial Court Judge.