Food banks doing well after devastating winter fire

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — While the Community Food Sharing Association (CFSA) is back to servicing food banks across the province after losing $300,000 worth of inventory in a January fire, it is still looking for permanent warehouse space, says general manager Eg Walters.
In January, a fire devastated the CFSA’s main warehouse on Topsail Road, ravaging all inventory and leaving the group with “absolutely none” of its food items.
Following the fire, the provincial government gave $50,000 to the association for immediate assistance  and provided Eastern Health’s old central kitchen as a new operating location. 
The provincial government has extended the association’s lease for the kitchen until the end of August.
Walters says staying at the current location is the CFSA's best-case scenario, but if it is unable to stay there, it will look for alternate accommodations.
“It has got the space we need, and the loading ramps we need, so it’s perfect for our requirements,” Walters said. 
The association is still looking for appropriate warehouse space, however. 
Walters said the response following the devastation of the CFSA warehouse was tremendous.
“All the media brought attention to the issue, and the government stepping up to the plate, plus a lot of the corporate sponsors were making additional donations,” Walters said.
“It’s certainly heartwarming to see all the community come together.”
People can bring food donations to the association’s new location at 66 Pippy Pl. in St. John’s, or the association’s office at 22 Mews Pl. 
The CFSA provides food bank items and services for communities across the province.

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