The community at large in Grande Prairie now has a new place to meet, eat and come together as one as the Salvation Army and Grande Prairie Friendship Centre have officially opened their community kitchen.
“I think this is a wonderful thing, it really shows, especially in Northern Alberta, that we can work together, find common ground to work toward that reconciliation and make our city and community stronger,” says Len Morissette with the Friendship Centre.
“Urban Indigenous, and non-Indigenous working together with a common cause to make our communities better.”
Salvation Army Captain Peter Kim says the collaboration goes well beyond just the financial aspect of the community kitchen, and it goes to show when there is a will, there is a way.
“The collaboration is really where we are doing the cost-sharing, our staff are coming over to cook breakfast and lunch, their staff are coming over to do the suppers, and so we will have five days a week, three meals a day covered.”
Planning for the community kitchen began last December and was able to start it with the help of a collaboration grant from the city worth $72,000. The kitchen will begin full service on November 25th.