Take Got Bannock? to the Next Level!

Got Bannock is a grassroots cause to feed the hungry, the homeless, the less fortunate on the cold streets of Winnipeg.

About Got Bannock

‘I am currently a stay-at-home single parent who comes from the same poverty as those who I speak for.

I use every spare moment to help solicit donations such as toiletries, clothing, footwear, socks, shoes and food to support Got Bannock. I go out each week with homemade lunches of bannock and soup, chili or pasta accompanied with water, juice, milk, coffee or tea, granola bars, and at least three pieces of fruit. I also bring the material donations to the street to give away.”

– Althea Guiboche – “The Bannock Lady”

After an Idle No More Rally, Althea was filling her car at a gas station when she was approached by two men, Richard & Ben, who asked her if she could help them with money or food. She handed them bannock, still warm, and some soup.

It was then that she decided to make it a mission to feed the poor, the hungry and the homeless on the streets of Winnipeg.

Every week for more than a year, Althea has served 100 healthy meals to people in need, without judgment or prejudice.

In summer, sandwiches and healthy snacks, and in the coldest winter, a bowl of fresh-made soup and warm bannock, the traditional food she grew up making and sharing with family and friends.

She has also helped collect clothing and toiletries to hand out.

Althea’s inspirational leadership has been recognized with nominations for awards, from Manitoba Hero to the YWCA/YMCA Women of Distinction.

But supporting her work is still a week-to-week struggle. Every week, she relies on donations – of money, food, and in-kind donations.

We want to set up Althea and Got Bannock on a more solid foundation, taking it to the next level and setting it up as a charity. That way we can offer tax receipts to donors, and it also makes it easier for us to apply for funding from other organizations. We’re starting that process NOW, but it will take a few months.

While we get that rolling, we want to make sure that Got Bannock has enough funding and donations to support Althea and her work until it is a registered charity.

Your donation will buy:

• The fresh ingredients Althea turns into healthy food: fresh meat, vegetables, flour, cold cuts, cheese, bread and more
• Fresh fruit, bought every week
• Water, juice, tea & coffee
• It will help support Althea and pay her expenses like fuel, containers and more

What We Need & What You Get

• Your donation goes to providing fresh, healthy meals for 100 people in need every week: families with children, seniors, the homeless and people living in poverty.
• $40 buys fresh meat for sandwiches or chill for 100 people
• $20 buys enough flour and shortening for bannock for 30 people
• $100 buys soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste and feminine hygiene products
• Got Bannock also helps collect and distribute clothing and shoes.

We want to take Got Bannock to the next level so that we can provide more meals for more people on an ongoing basis, without having to worry whether we will have enough donations to be able to hand out food.

• For a donation of $15, we will thank you in a tweet and on Facebook!
• For a donation of $50, we will send you a mini-bannock made by the Bannock Lady herself!
• For $100, we will send you a Got Bannock T-Shirt

If we don’t make our goal, we will still use all of the collected funds to buy fresh food and support Got Bannock.

• Althea has been recognized for her work with many awards and nominations. Even if she was the only one working, she put together 100 meals, and handed them out on the street whether it was 30 degrees above or 30 degrees below.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help:

• Even if you can’t donate, let your friends, family and co-workers know or share this campaign on Facebook or Twitter
• If you live in Winnipeg, arrange a fundraising drive at work, with your friends, or with your faith community! New items like toiletries are always needed.

Read more on How to Contribute.

NT5