Active Living Centre feeds body and soul

St. Vital

I recently met with some wonderful people at the Elmwood-East Kildonan Active Living Centre. When I arrived, the main room was in use for a meeting of staff and volunteers. An hour later, it was transformed into a food rescue centre. Dozens of volunteers from Community Helpers Unite organized grocery items donated by local stores. Tables were stacked with potatoes, onions, peppers, cabbages, green onions, mandarin oranges, kiwis, papayas, and more. Word about the Thursday food giveaway had just gone out on social media. Soon, hundreds of people would arrive to save the food from going to waste.

This is just one of the food security programs offered by the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation at the Active Living Centre.

What makes it unique?

“The program is barrier-free” said Louise Peters of CNRC. “If you need it, you take it.”

Other food security programs at the Active Living Centre provide low-cost frozen meals, hot meals, bagged groceries, and a free shuttle bus for seniors to local grocery stores. Core funding for CNRC programs is provided by the Government of Canada, Government of Manitoba, City of Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Foundation, End Homelessness Canada, Efficiency Manitoba, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, and the New Horizons for Seniors program.

This weekend, the Local Colour Art Group will transform the Active Living Centre from a place that feeds the body into a space that nourishes the soul.

Janet Dent of Local Colour described the group’s upcoming Spring into Summer Art Show and Sale: “We have up to 27 artists from the club showing their original art. We use the entire building. The main room will become a gallery of original local art.”

An unframed art room will display a variety of art forms and gift ideas including prints, art cards, bookmarks, magnets, and jewelry. Guests will enjoy conversations with crtists, demonstrations, and a raffle of donated artwork.

If your soul is in need of nourishment, drop by the for the art show on April 17, when its opening reception will run from 6 to 9 p.m.; on April 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; or April 19, from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. All proceeds from sales of artwork will go to the artists. Proceeds from the raffle support community events or programs offered by the CNRC and the Active Living Centre

The Elmwood-East Kildonan Active Living Centre is located at 180 Poplar Ave. Hope to see you there.