Pictured above: Staff and volunteers from the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre pack nutritious food for families in need.

Many families in Winnipeg have received support during the pandemic thanks to food hamper deliveries made by Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre – and Winnipeg’s Valu Lots store stepped up with some extra food donations for 1200 families this spring.

David Pell, Valu Lots Store Manager in Winnipeg, MB, received a large supply of waffles and bread – more than he could sell in the store – and to keep them from spoiling, he decided to donate them. He contacted Abraham Simon, a recently retired employee from The North West Company, to help him place the donation.

Simon connected Pell with Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, an organization that was in the process of delivering food hampers for families in need.

Over 1200 families received the hampers that included the donation from Valu Lots. Over several weeks until mid April, Simon collected the bread and waffles from the store – worth nearly $3,000 – and delivered them to the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata team of staff and volunteers assembling the hampers.

“Supporting organizations that work and look out for the welfare of the most vulnerable is always a great joy,” said Pell. “The pandemic has affected many people and families, and it is of utmost importance to do everything in our power to provide them with the support they need during this challenging time.”

Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata – Ojibway for “we all work together to help one another” – provides community-based programs and services, supporting Indigenous families for over 30 years.

They are currently preparing food boxes that are delivered Monday through Saturday. For more information about the organization and how you can support, visit www.mamawi.com