Whitehorse food bank creates 'family food day'

Every week theWhitehorse food bank serves hundreds of kilograms of fresh meat, potatoes, canned goods and otherfood stuffs to people in need.

The clients represent a wide cross-section of Yukonersfrom single parents andfamilies, elderstothe working poor.

But some people say the bankhas become an intimidating place.

"We have a lot of safety issues going on here." says food bank executive director KylaMerkel.

"There are alot of people with mental health issues and addictions that are here, based on necessity, and so they often come in and they're inebriated or they are in a bad mood. You can just see it in families when they come in they're sometimes scared or very uncomfortable. I'm just trying to alleviate that a little bit and make them feel more welcome," Merkel says.

To help deal with the problem,the food bank is trying anew program weekly hours exclusively for families with children.

"The idea is to create a day when food can bedistributedstrictly toparents and their kids" says Merkel.

Food bank tries to become a welcoming place forchildren

Family days will run Wednesdays from 10 until 1.

Merkel says there are 310 children who use the food bank each month.

Thefoodbank plans tointroduceactivities for children such ascolouring. Asmall library will also be available to make children feel welcome.

Merkel says that catering to the communityand meeting its different needs is at the philosophical heartof the food bank's mission.