Pictured above: Food hampers are stored for delivery to Rankin Inlet households

Households in Rankin Inlet, NU, will be in good hands, thanks to food hampers provided by the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet.

The community of Rankin Inlet has been dealing with a recent COVID-19 outbreak, so lockdown measures have been enacted, including restrictions on gathering, closing of non-essential businesses and a mask mandate.

Knowing its residents could use a helping hand, the Hamlet immediately made plans to order and arrange delivery of food hampers to every single household.

In just one week, beginning on November 16, a variety of local businesses, organizations and volunteers, all joined forces in support of Rankin Inlet residents, to prepare, organize and deliver 850 food hampers with a total weight of just under 60,000 pounds. Each hamper contained several items including healthy items such as apples, oranges and potatoes.

Support was provided from all local stores, including Rankin Inlet Northern, North Star Air, Curley Construction, Sarliaq Freight Handlers, the local fire department, Hamlet staff and volunteers.

Pictured above: Freight handlers prepare to organize and deliver food hampers

Rankin Inlet Northern Store Manager, Hassan Kassar, and his team were happy to have been a part of this initiative and portray their collaborative spirits.

“We are not just a store within the community, but we are also a part of the community. This was a big undertaking from all parties involved to complete within a week. We proved that during times of need, this community comes together very quickly,” said Kassar.